NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Department of Health says one person tested positive earlier this week.
They were an international visitor who was not fully vaccinated and stayed at the Ramada by Wyndham at 6306 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans.
But as school begins, it’s a good reminder of how quickly measles can spread and how serious it can be.
Measles was once eliminated with vaccines, but two cases popped up earlier this year in the New Orleans area.
Measles is so contagious, the CDC says 90-percent of people around an infected person will catch it if they don’t have the MMR vaccine. But there’s only a 3-percent chance you’ll catch measles if you’re vaccinated, and you’ll likely have milder symptoms and be less likely to spread it.
A person infected with measles will typically see symptoms between one and two weeks after expo sure.
They may experience high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watering eyes.
A few days later, white spots may appear inside the mouth. Soon after that, the tell-tale red, spotty rash all over the body.
Measles can cause serious pregnancy complications, respiratory and neurologic issues, and it can even kill you.
The person who tested positive in New Orleans this week was hospitalized and is in isolation.
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