Measles Outbreak in Platte County: Second Case Reported This Week
Platte County faces a growing health concern as another measles case has been confirmed, marking the second occurrence in the area this week, as announced by the East Central District Health Department.
According to a news release from the health department, the latest patient is unvaccinated and shares a residence with the first confirmed case, also unvaccinated. The initial case involved a child who had traveled recently to Arizona.
The East Central District Health Department has identified potential exposure sites for measles, urging those who visited the locations during specific times to take action:
- Shell Creek Baptist Church in Columbus on December 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Columbus Community Hospital Emergency Department on December 29 from 2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Individuals who were at these sites during the mentioned times should visit the department’s website and complete the risk assessment survey.
For those without internet access or who require assistance with the assessment, the East Central District Health Department is available at 402-562-8969 for support.
This latest instance brings the total to three measles cases in Nebraska this year. Previously, a vaccinated child in Sheridan County was diagnosed with measles in May, marking the first such case in the state in eight years, with no further cases reported at that time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that over 2,000 measles cases have been recorded across 44 states nationwide this year, the highest count since 1992.
