RiverStone Health Reports Second Measles Case Linked to Billings Vacation Bible School: What Parents Need to Know

Yellowstone County health officials have confirmed a second case of measles connected to a recent vacation Bible school in Billings. The infected child lives in the same household as the first confirmed case. The cases arose after the event held at Cornerstone Community Church from July 14-16, which involved around 110 students and 60 volunteers.

Pastor Jeff Romans mentioned that most attendees were vaccinated against measles. However, the first child who contracted the virus was not vaccinated. It’s still unclear whether the second child received vaccinations.

Measles symptoms can appear within 21 days and may include a runny nose, fever, red or watery eyes, a rash, and spots in the mouth. Infected individuals can spread the virus four days before their rash develops and for up to four days after. The contagious nature of measles is significant; being in the same room as an infected person can lead to infection, even up to two hours after they’ve left. Statistics show that if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals nearby may also contract the disease.

Here’s what you should do if you’ve been exposed:

• If unvaccinated and with no prior measles infection: Quarantine yourself and monitor for symptoms for 21 days. Receiving the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can help mitigate the impact of the virus.

• If vaccinated or previously infected: Your risk is lower, but keep an eye out for symptoms during the same monitoring period.

The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles. It is safe and effective, helping to prevent severe complications associated with the virus.

For those in Billings, the vaccine is available at RiverStone Health Immunization Clinic. For more information, you can visit their vaccination page or call 406.247.3382.

In recent years, measles outbreaks have seen a resurgence in parts of the U.S., largely driven by a rise in vaccine hesitancy. The CDC reported that there were over 1,200 cases in 2019, the highest number since 1992. Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination not only for individual protection but also for community health.

For further details about measles and vaccination resources, check out RiverStone Health’s measles information.

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