The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has determined that the unvaccinated person being investigated in Lee County, Alabama, does not have measles. PCR testing was reported as negative by the reference laboratory late Tuesday afternoon. PCR testing for measles is highly complex and requires at least 24 to 48 hours for the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) to send a measles specimen and receive phone results. Due to the extremely contagious risk of measles in unvaccinated persons, ADPH regularly launches preliminary investigations on suspected cases, while testing is in process, to ensure that vulnerable people are informed and protected.
While an investigation of a suspected case is underway, ADPH takes steps to identify potentially exposed persons, verify vaccine status, ensure vaccine availability, and administer the vaccine to eligible persons. ADPH also monitors for any additional reports of suspected cases and sends additional tests on other suspected cases accordingly. The investigative process requires a rapid response by ADPH, as the MMR vaccine, given within 72 hours of exposure, is highly likely to reduce the risk of exposed persons contracting measles.
ADPH Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Landers, said, "This investigation began on Saturday afternoon. I appreciate the quick response of the ADPH on call team to ensure that all the response elements were in place, in order to protect Alabama. While ADPH has determined that this is not a case of measles, I urge all Alabamians to be vigilant in ensuring that eligible persons are up to date on the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. High rates of MMR vaccine in our state will protect our children, our families, and our citizens from this severe and deadly disease."
For more information, please visit the measles page on the ADPH Immunization website.