Ignoring advice to check vaccination status for measles or to get a measles vaccination could be easy to do for adults in the Yampa Valley, especially when medical professionals advocate for other vaccines too, ranging from flu to pneumonia to shingles.

But, with the rise in measles cases in Colorado and the nation, public health officials on the county, state and national levels are encouraging residents to talk to their doctors about getting the measles vaccine.

That’s because measles is a highly contagious virus that can stay in the air for two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes and leaves the space, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC notes that measles “is so contagious that about nine out of 10 people who come near a person with measles and are not protected by vaccination will also become infected.”

Measles can cause severe health problems including pneumonia, encephalitis or swelling of the brain, and “possibly even death,” according to the CDC. Measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact, and common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash that breaks out three to five days after symptoms begin. More information is available at CDC.gov/measles.

As of Monday, officials from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have identified 10 measles cases in Colorado so far this year including people who traveled through Denver International Airport.

That compares to only one case in Colorado during the five previous years. During the month of May alone, exposure locations were identified in six communities including in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Evergreen, Grand Junction and Greenwood Village. For more information and exposure locations, visit CDPHE.colorado.gov/dcphr/measles-information.

Tracking possible exposure is important because the MMR vaccine (for measles, mumps and rubella) given within 72 hours after exposure can prevent infection, according to the CDPHE. Experts say the MMR vaccine provides strong protection, and two doses are recommended.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community,” according to the CDPHE. “Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems, but it is a vaccine-preventable disease.”

As of May 29, the CDC reported 1,088 confirmed measles cases in 32 U.S. states including in Colorado and in bordering states Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Cases also are reported in states that draw many visitors to Routt County such as California, Florida and Texas, which tops the country with more than 250 cases.

Of those overall U.S. cases, 96% of the patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, 2% had one MMR dose and 3% had two MMR doses. CDC statistics show 12% of those patients were hospitalized, and three people died.

Measles is known for a characteristic rash that usually starts several days after initial symptoms and appears on the face and spreads.

Roberta Smith, Routt County’s director of public health, encourages people to have a conversation individually with their health care providers about vaccinations.

People at high risk for complications from measles include infants and children 5 and younger, adults 20 and older, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.

“If someone is unsure of vaccination status, the best advice is to get the vaccine,” Smith said. “It is generally easier and more cost effective than getting labs drawn, and if you are exposed to someone with measles, we would assess the vaccination status first before looking at titers.”

An antibody titers test is a blood sample test that can check a person’s immunity level to certain diseases, including measles, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Routt County Public Health officials reminded that multiple vaccines, including measles, are required for school and child care entry in Colorado. That required list also includes whooping cough, mumps, polio and chickenpox.

In addition to those required vaccines for child care and school, several other vaccines are recommended by public health officials to provide protection against other diseases, including meningococcal, hepatitis A, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, influenza and COVID-19, according to Routt County Public Health.