Recent case of measles in Cache County determined to be a false positive

The Bear River Health Department has determined that what was believed to be another case of the measles was in fact only a false positive. Upon further investigation of the sixth case in Cache County, reported on July 11, it has been determined that the initial lab results were a false positive. A confirmatory blood test showed the child actually did not have measles. According to the department, during an outbreak a confirmed case of measles is defined as a case that is laboratory confirmed or that meets the clinical case definition and is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case. A laboratory-confirmed case does not need to meet the clinical case definition. In this most recent case the affected child met the case definition. However, due to questions that arose during further investigation into the case, a confirmatory blood test was ordered and was negative for measles. During communicable disease outbreaks, public health is responsible for locating and investigating possible cases, providing vaccinations and educating and updating the public about prevention and the signs and symptoms of disease. There are currently five confirmed cases of measles in Cache County. For more information, the public should call their primary care physician or the Bear River Health Department at (435) 792-6500.

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