Will The Measles Come To Oklahoma?

As of January 30th, there are 102 measles cases in 14 states.

So will the measles ever reach Oklahoma?

Health officials say it's a nasty and uncomfortable disease, that is best avoided, but thankfully, a major effort to immunize people is paying-off in this state.

About 63% of all Oklahomans have had their shots.

At the Tulsa County Health Department we met 3-year old J. J. Deplois and his mother Riann.

She's made sure that J. J. got his shots early on.

She says it upsets her some parents don't take the same precautions.

"You don't vaccinate, and you see all the widespread disease again," she said "It seems black and white to me you stop the spread of disease."

Riann doesn't even want to think about her children catching the measles.

Officials say there may be enough mothers like her to keep the virus out of our state.

The health departments says a high immunization rate is insurance for all of us.

But just in case, Epidemiologist Nicole Schlaefli says the unpleasant symptoms start with a fever.

"We've seen it up to about 104, a cough, itchy watery eyes, that can be kinda red and then a runny nose," she said.

The trademark rash comes 3 to 4 days later. It spreads from the hairline, to the rest of the body.

Thousands of people over the age of 50 don't have to worry about the disease, because they had it when they were young.

For those who are a little younger, there may be an immunization gap. Some people got a less effective vaccine. While other who got their shots as a kid, may not have received the needed booster shots.

It might be worth your while to check your medical records.

Adults who never had shots can still be immunized with 2 doses that are given 28-days apart.