Douglas County health officials preparing for measles; no cases confirmed

The number of measles cases is steadily increasing nationwide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 45 cases reported in 17 states since the beginning of the year.

Here at home, the Douglas County Health Department is making sure to stay vigilant.

“We haven’t had a case here yet but we’re already preparing with our response teams to make sure that we are ready to roll if a case does happen here. We also have information that we are putting together to go out to our school districts and also to our local area health providers just so that they’re aware of the situation,” DCHD health director Dr. Lindsay Huse said.

There is no cure for measles, which is why health experts agree the best line of protection against it is to make sure little ones have the shot.

“The measles vaccine was developed in 1963 and actually had really great uptick at first, so great, that in fact in 2000 measles was declared eliminated in the U.S., but due to falling vaccination rates we’re seeing an increase in measles throughout the country,” said Methodist Physicians Clinic pediatrician Mariah Davis, MD.

WOWT: Douglas County health officials preparing for measles; no cases confirmed