Regional West is Prepared for Measles

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― As the United States and a neighboring county in Nebraska see cases of the measles virus, Regional West is taking precautions to help protect our patients and employees from potential exposure. 

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air and can cause a high fever; rash; cough; runny nose; and red, watery eyes. It can lead to serious complications such as hospitalization, pneumonia, and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, in children younger than five years old and people with weakened immune systems. 

On May 27, a confirmed measles case was reported in Sheridan County. Regional West is asking that anyone who has signs and symptoms of measles, has traveled to an area affected by measles, or has been in contact with someone known or suspected of having measles in the past 21 days to notify employees at check-in or call the clinic or area they are visiting before entering the facility. 

Patients visiting Urgent Care who have symptoms or who may have been exposed to measles should call 308-632-2215 prior to their arrival. Any patient with a medical emergency may present directly to the Emergency Department without calling ahead. 

“Due to measles being highly contagious, even more so than COVID-19 and influenza, it is important that we do all we can to prevent exposures to this virus,” said Regional West Infection Prevention Specialist Kaetlyn Ryan, MPH. “We have been working directly with the local health department, Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD), to determine proper protocols and referrals for suspected cases. Any suspected or confirmed measles case will be shared directly with them to help protect the safety of the community. They will be performing all the contact tracing and informing the public about potential exposures to the virus.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The CDC recommends that children get two doses, with the first at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at four to six years of age. Two doses of the MMR vaccine can be up to 97% effective against measles; one dose is about 93% effective.   

“Measles is the most infectious virus that we have known, so Regional West is taking precautions and working internally to have all the necessary plans in place if and when we encounter our first case,” said Chief Medical Officer Serozan Amroliwalla, MD. “We are also collaborating closely with PPHD and our colleagues at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to stay up to date with the CDC guidelines for testing and vaccination. I encourage those who are not yet vaccinated to get the measles vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones from this disease.”

For the latest information about measles in the panhandle, visit PPHD’s website at https://pphd.ne.gov/.

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.