NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Health State Public Health Laboratory has
confirmed two additional cases of measles in residents of East Tennessee. This brings the total
number of measles cases in Tennessee in 2019 to three. The two new cases are associated with
the first measles case in Tennessee this year which was announced April 18, and were
identified as part of the ongoing contact investigation.
“We expected to have more measles cases linked to the first one, and these new cases occurred
in people we had identified and were monitoring as contacts of the first patient,” said
Tennessee Immunization Program Medical Director Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP. “The good news
is there are no additional contacts of these new cases that have not already been identified.”
TDH is providing information about measles and how to prevent it online at
www.tn.gov/health/cedep/tennesee-measles.html. This page includes the number of measles
cases in the state this year, which will be updated daily by 3 p.m. Central time if additional cases
are confirmed.
While this outbreak investigation is currently centered in East Tennessee, all Tennesseans
should be aware of measles and its symptoms. Measles symptoms may include fever, runny
nose, body aches, watery eyes and white spots in the mouth. Several days after these
symptoms start, a red, spotty rash typically begins on the face and spreads over the body.
Symptoms may develop any time in the 21 days following exposure to the illness. Nearly one in
three measles patients will develop ear infections, diarrhea or pneumonia. Measles can be fatal
in approximately one to two out of every 1,000 cases.
All Tennesseans are urged to ensure they are up-to date on MMR vaccine, which is extremely
effective in preventing infection. The measles virus is highly contagious and can stay airborne
or live on surfaces for up to two hours. People recently infected with measles may not have any
symptoms of illness, but can transmit the virus for about five days before the typical measles
rash appears.
Anyone who believes they or a loved one has measles symptoms should stay home and contact
a health care provider to make arrangements to visit a health care facility before going to a
health care center to prevent further exposure of others to the illness.
People with questions about how to protect themselves against measles should call a health
care provider, the local health department or a hotline established to provide answers to
questions from the public about measles. The hotline number is 865-549-5343; calls to the
hotline will be answered from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central time/8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
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