Deadly Viral Outbreak In Massachusetts

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Deadly Viral Outbreak In Massachusetts

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, "a confirmed case of measles was (at Samba on Route 9) while infectious on Feb. 15 between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m."

The second case has been confirmed in a Framingham Trader Joe's employee who went to Samba Restaurant.

An alert was issued Monday for anyone who was at the Trader Joe's in Framingham on Feb. 15 or Feb. 16 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

There are two reported measles cases in MetroWest, and sources tell NewsCenter 5 one of those people works at the store. 

But with just 10 days before the symptoms typically set in, the window runs out Tuesday.

"I was at Trader Joe's," said one customer. "My kids all had the vaccine, but I'm not sure if I did." 

Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold, but a rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the initial symptoms appear.

People with measles may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.

Measles

Measles can claim the dubious distinction of being the world's most contagious disease. One infected person in a crowded room can spread the disease to nearly every other person present who hasn't been vaccinated. Primarily a childhood viral illness spread through airborne droplets from nasal secretions, measles ranks among the top four childhood killers worldwide, especially among young, malnourished children with undeveloped or compromised immune systems. The tragedy is, measles can be prevented with a vaccine that costs a mere 26 cents per dose — a vaccine which has yet to reach many of the world's poorest countries.

The following account of taking his daughter into hospital after she had collapsed at home was written by Roald Dahl in a school exercise book hidden away at the back of a drawer in his writing shed:

Awful drive. Lorries kept holding us up on narrow roads. Got to hospital. Ambulance went to wrong entrance. Backed out. Arrived. Young doctor in charge. Mervyn and he gave her 3mg sodium amatol. I sat in hall. Smoked. Felt frozen. A small single bar electric fire on wall. An old man in next room. Woman doctor went to phone. She was trying urgently to locate another doctor. He arrived. I went in. Olivia lying quietly. Still unconscious. She has an even chance, doctor said. They had tapped her spine. Not meningitis. It’s encephalitis. Mervyn left in my car. I stayed. Pat arrived and went in to see Olivia. Kissed her. Spoke to her. Still unconscious. I went in. I said, “Olivia… Olivia.” She raised her head slightly off pillow. Sister said don’t. I went out. We drank whiskey. I told doctor to consult experts. Call anyone. He called a man in Oxford. I listened. Instructions were given. Not much could be done. I first said I would stay on. Then I said I’d go back with Pat. Went. Arrived home. Called Philip Evans. He called hospital. Called me back. “Shall I come?” “Yes please.” I said I’d tell hospital he was coming. I called. Doc thought I was Evans. He said I’m afraid she’s worse. I got in the car. Got to hospital. Walked in. Two doctors advanced on me from waiting room. How is she? I’m afraid it’s too late. I went into her room. Sheet was over her. Doctor said to nurse go out. Leave him alone. I kissed her. She was warm. I went out. “She is warm.” I said to doctors in hall, “Why is she so warm?” “Of course,” he said. I left.

Over twenty years later, Roald Dahl wrote the following passage, aimed at parents who were refusing to give their children the measles vaccine...

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/health/measles-linked-to-framingham-trader-joes-has-shoppers-on-alert/24656796#ixzz2uNJSTTec

http://www.ovg.ox.ac.uk/blogs/ojohn/how-dangerous-measles

 

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