A patient diagnosed with the measles in Keene last week has caused concern in the Monadnock Region.
“We got a lot of calls today. We got a lot of calls and I think there was a lot of general interest and concern as to what to do,” Philip McFarland, Marketing and Communications Manager at Monadnock Community Hospital, said Monday.
McFarland said this is to be expected as any press release regarding this incident would advise people to call their own doctors with any questions or concerns.
Caitlin N. Barbarita, a pediatrician at Monadnock Regional Pediatrics at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, said Monday of those who have been immunized “chances are very good you are protected.”
“Studies have shown that they work,” Barbarita said of the MMR vaccine. “If your kids have been vaccinated, it’s probably not the measles cause the vaccine works pretty well.”
However, both warned measles is a dangerous disease and recommend people receive the vaccination if they haven’t already done so.
“It’s a very serious disease,” Barbarita said. “The majority of people in this country have not seen the measles. … In my career, and the majority of my colleagues, we haven’t seen measles. … It is not the chicken pox. It is very scary.”
Cheshire Medical Center Walk-In Care received a patient on Thursday who has been confirmed to have the measles, the medical center announced in a press release Sunday.
“The relatively small number of patients who may have been exposed while at the Walk-In Care have been notified to confirm their measles vaccination or immunity status,” the press release said.
Cheshire Medical Center has also advised people that if they or their child was at:
■The nursery (9 a.m., to 1 p.m.) and coffee hour (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the United Church of Christ at 23 Central Square in Keene, Sunday, May 12
■The infant/toddler room at the Keene Montessori School on 125 Railroad Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, May 16
■The Walk-in Clinic at Cheshire Medical Center at 149 Emerald Street in Keene from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday May, 16
that they should contact their healthcare provider directly and inform the receptionist over the phone that they are at risk for exposure to the measles.
“It kills one in a thousand, so it’s a real threat,” Barbarita said.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough and congestion. Because these can be common symptoms for other illnesses, Barbarita said, red irritated eyes can be the best indicator of the measles.
“Measles is always associated with that classic rash, but that rash actually doesn’t start until after you are contagious,” she said.
If you have been exposed to the measles you have a 72-hour window to get the vaccination for protection, she said. There is also a six-day window in which someone exposed to the measles can receive IV medication.
Cheshire Medical Center said patients with questions regarding measles or wanting to confirm immunization status may call and leave a message at 354-6705. Include your name, date of birth, phone # and a good time to contact you, and a brief message stating the reason for your call.
Additional information and what to do if you are not sure if you are immune or think you or your child has the measles:
■The NH DHHS’ public inquiry phone line is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (603) 271-9461, or toll-free for NH residents at 1-800-852-3345 ext. 9461.
■The measles vaccine (MMR vaccine) is very effective, and more than 99 percent of individuals who receive two doses of the vaccine develop immunity to measles.
■The NH DHHS recommends that all people review their vaccination status with their healthcare providers to ensure adequate immunity to measles.