The second confirmed case of measles has been reported in Virginia, this time in Charlottesville.
There have been 1,046 confirmed cases and three confirmed deaths in the U.S. so far this year as outbreaks continue to crop up across the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The highly contagious, sometimes-fatal viral infection primarily affects unvaccinated children and nonimmunized adults. It was declared eradicated in the U.S. 25 years ago but came back at the start of this year, beginning in Texas and moving largely through unvaccinated communities.
The child in the Charlottesville case is between 13 and 17 years old, according to the Virginia Department of Health, and had recently traveled internationally. The Health Department did not say if the child was vaccinated.
"To protect the family's privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient," the agency said in a statement issued Friday. "Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed."
Measles symptoms include a fever of more than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery and red eyes as well as a cough that starts between seven and 14 days after exposure. Then, three to five days after this, a rash appears on the face and then spreads.
Vaccination remains the best defense against infection. People who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, are protected and do not need to take any action, the VDOH said.
People who have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine are very likely to be protected, but to get the most protection they could get a second dose, the agency said.
Virginia reported its first confirmed case of measles this year in April. The infected child lives in Northern Virginia and was no more than 4 years old at the time of infection.
"Measles is preventable," the Virginia Department of Health said in its Friday statement, urging the state's residents to vaccinate themselves, monitor their exposure and report suspected cases.