The Louisiana Department of Health on Saturday reported the state's first confirmed case of this year in the greater New Orleans area.
Once nearly eradicated and preventable by vaccines, the highly contagious virus has raised public health alarms as a nationwide outbreak reached 800 cases as of Friday.
The New Orleans case is in an unvaccinated adult from Region 1, which includes Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard Parish. The Louisiana Department of Health said the patient, who is in isolation and and has been treated at a hospital, likely contracted measles through international travel. Last year, Louisiana saw three measles cases, the health department said, all in the greater New Orleans area and all travel-associated.
The department's Office of Public Health is working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the infected individual.
New Orleans' Health Department could not immediately be reached for comment.
Of the 800 cases nationally so far this year, there have been 10 clusters — defined as three or more related cases — according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Measles cases have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
Texas is driving the high numbers, with an outbreak centered in the western part of the state that started nearly three months ago and was up to 597 cases as of Friday. Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter in Texas, and an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.
The health department said the best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The state's legislative leaders issued statements Saturday saying they are monitoring the situation and urged concerned residents to consult their physicians. Â
"As Louisiana learns of its first reported case of the measles, the legislature will continue to monitor the situation and support our experts at the Department of Health." Senate President Cameron Henry said. "Anyone in the New Orleans region who is concerned about potential exposure should contact their primary physician for guidance."
"After speaking with the Louisiana Department of Health about the first reported case of the measles, I have been reassured that preparations had been taken ahead of the outbreak in Texas and that our Department of Health partners were ready for this possibility," Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier said. "Families who have questions or might have a loved one experiencing symptoms can reach out to their local doctor for advice and additional information."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
