PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — For the first time in 12 years, Rhode Island has reported a case of the measles.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the patient, a child who was not vaccinated, had a history of international travel. Health officials said the child was treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and has since recovered.
The risk to the public is considered low, and contact tracing is being done.
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms typically include:
High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek
A rash made up of large, flat blotches.
Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.
The Rhode Island Department of Health encourages people to get their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. According to the Department of Health, 97% of kindergartners across the state have gotten the MMR vaccine.
