BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) – The Louisiana Department of Health issued health guidance after confirming two measles cases in Greater New Orleans.

The affected individuals, both unvaccinated, were exposed to the virus during travel outside the state. These are the only reported cases in Louisiana amidst a rise in measles cases globally.

Measles is highly contagious, posing risks, especially to unvaccinated infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. The LDH highlights vaccination as a critical preventive measure.

In 2022, 87% of 2-year-olds in Louisiana received the MMR vaccine.

The disease spreads through the air and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. The LDH encourages checking vaccination status through healthcare providers or MyIR for vaccine records.

Symptoms start with fever, cough, and red eyes, followed by a rash. Those showing symptoms should contact a healthcare provider and stay isolated.

The LDH recommends the MMR vaccine for prevention. More information is available at immunizations.la.gov.

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