Secondary measles case may occur in Lake County

July 9, 2002

LAKE COUNTY, Ohio -- The Lake County Health District is on the lookout for a secondary measles outbreak following a case last week.

Last week's case was a foreign-born visitor to Lake County who most likely contracted her disease in Italy.

The Lake County Health District says there is no cause for alarm at this point. They believe they have already identified most of those who are affected, but there is always a possibility that other exposures could have occurred.

Being infected with the measles virus will give the person a generalized rash lasting more than three days, a temperature over 101 degrees, and a cough or conjunctivitis.

The incubation period is 12 to 17 days, but it's usually 14 days before the rash appears.

Measles can be spread during the onset of the disease and up to four days following the appearance of the rash.