CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed a measles case among a child 5-12 years old in Buckingham County, and is concerned there may be more Central Virginia cases unreported.

According to a VDH release, the patient had not traveled and was exposed to measles locally.

“Based on this information, VDH has reason to suspect that measles virus is circulating in the Buckingham County area, and that there are likely more cases than have been reported. VDH is advising people in the area to make sure they are up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, watch for symptoms of measles, and if they feel sick to stay home and contact their healthcare provider,” said the release.

To protect the family’s privacy, the VDH doesn’t provide any more information on the patient.

VDH advised that the MMR vaccine is, “the best protection against the measles.”

Children usually receive the first dose at one year of age, and the second does at age four.

The release states, “Because VDH suspects community transmission in this area, in addition to routine vaccine recommendations described above, we encourage people who live in or visit Buckingham County or the surrounding areas to talk with their healthcare provider about the following vaccine recommendations:

Infants ages 6 to 11 months are advised to get an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Infants who receive an early dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should receive two more doses at the recommended ages and at least 28 days apart. Children aged 12 months or older and adults who have not yet been vaccinated or never had measles infection are advised to get an MMR vaccine dose with a second dose at least 28 days after the first dose. Children aged 12 months or older who have previously received only one MMR dose are advised to get a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose. Adults who have previously received only one MMR dose should consider a second MMR vaccine dose at least 28 days after the first dose.”

The VDH noted measles is a highly contagious illness that can be easily spread in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes.

According the state health officials, “Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.”

“If you experience symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others. Contact a healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.”