KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Department of Health on Tuesday reported the state’s fourth confirmed pediatric measles case in an Arkansas resident. Because the child did not travel outside the state, this indicates the first case of community spread this year, according to a press release.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can cause severe health complications. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and rash, according to the health department. Patients are infectious both four days before and after they develop a rash.

The individual was not fully vaccinated and lives in Faulkner County. While infectious, the person visited Conway Regional Greenbrier Family Medicine from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 18 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 21. The individual also visited Irby Dance Studio in Conway from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 23, according to the release.

Arkansas health department reports evidence of community spread of measles