skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

TN Measles Case Confirmed; Health Officials Name Exposure Locations

play audio
Play

Thursday, April 25, 2019   

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An East Tennessee resident has been diagnosed with measles, and public health officials have released new information on when and where people might have been exposed.

Anyone who spent time at a Mapco Mart in Chattanooga on April 11, and at a Speedway gas station in Clinton on April 12, might have been exposed if he or she came into contact with the confirmed patient.

Dr. Tim Jones, the state’s epidemiologist, says even with just one known measles case, the Tennessee Health Department is taking a proactive approach to curtail the spread of the highly contagious, airborne disease.

"So far, we've only identified one case,” he states. “I will say that I will be shocked if we don't see more.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that we deal with. Personally, I'm almost certain we will see additional cases fairly soon."

People recently infected with measles may not show symptoms, but still can transmit the virus for nearly a week before a rash appears on the face and body.

Other tell-tale signs of measles include high fever, runny nose, body aches, and white spots in the mouth.

Tennessee has had only 15 cases of measles in the last decade.

Since January, more than 600 individual cases of measles have been confirmed across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Unfortunately we are in the middle of a national outbreak,” Jones says. “There have been well over 600 cases now. I think there are over 20 states that have cases.

“So, before this, almost all the cases we've seen were people coming back from countries where it's common. That's not the case anymore."

Jones says anyone with measles symptoms should first call a health care provider and make arrangements for a visit in advance, in order to prevent exposing others.

The state also has set up a hotline to answer citizens' questions about measles. The hotline number is 865-549-5343.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in M…

Environment

play sound

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…


Nebraska is one of 10 states to confirmed abortion-related constitutional amendment measures on the ballot in November. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Some ballot initiatives this year have taken more than voter signatures to get onto the ballot in Nebraska. They've already withstood major court …

Environment

play sound

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

Social Issues

play sound

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

play sound

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021