The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a non-resident measles case that traveled through Union Station in downtown Los Angeles while infectious on July 23.
Public Health also wants to identify others who are at risk for measles and may have been exposed to this person.
The potential public exposure occurred on Tuesday, July 23, between 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., at Union Station, Patsaouras Transit Bus Plaza Bay 8, downtown Los Angeles 90012.
There is no known current risk related to measles that exists at this venue at this time.
Public Health officials urge residents, especially those who travel internationally and those who have not been fully protected against measles, to get the immunization in order to better protect their individual health and to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
Other people may have been exposed to measles since a public location was visited by the person with measles while infectious.
Anyone who may have been at this location on those dates may be at risk of developing measles for up to 21 days after being exposed. People who were in the location above around the same time should:
* Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected. People who have not had measles infection previously or received the measles immunization may not be immune and should talk with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.
* Contact and notify their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, an infant, have a weakened immune system and/or are unimmunized.
* Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a healthcare provider immediately.
Currently, there have been 16 measles cases among Los Angeles County residents in 2019, in addition to nine non-resident cases that traveled through the county.
The majority of cases to date were unimmunized or did not know whether they had ever been immunized.
This case is not connected to outbreaks reported previously this year.
“For those who are not protected, measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that initially causes fever, cough, red, watery eyes, and, finally, a rash,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer.
“Measles is spread by air and by direct contact even before you know have it,” Davis said. “The MMR immunization is a very effective measure to protect yourself and to prevent the unintentional spread of this potentially serious infection to others.”
Additional cases and exposures may occur here related to returning travelers, especially returning international travelers who are not already protected. Travelers taking domestic trips should follow the general Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination recommendations. Those traveling internationally should ensure they have received two doses and consider the expedited schedule for infants less than 12 months old.
About Measles
Measles is considered among the most contagious viruses in the world. About 90% of people who have never been immunized against it become ill 7-21 days after exposure. Infected people can infect those around them before they have symptoms and know they are infected.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and a rash which usually appears 10 to 21 days after the exposure.
The virus can be transmitted from one person to another up to four days before the onset of rash. Individuals should contact their healthcare provider by phone before going in if they develop symptoms, so measures can be taken to prevent possible spread to others in the provider’s waiting room.
They should also tell their doctor or other healthcare provider if they traveled internationally or had international visitors in the last 21 days or had exposure to another person with measles.
Public Health interviews all persons with measles in the county to identify who may have come in contact with them, in order to try to prevent further spread of the virus.
Public Health communicates with health care providers, health plans, local governments, schools and elected officials to provide updates on the outbreak and actions they can take to help prevent the spread of measles and support the countywide response.
Measles immunizations are available at healthcare providers, local pharmacy or health clinic. Public Health clinics offer no or low-cost immunizations for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. To find a nearby Public Health clinic, call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/chs/phcenters.htm.
For more information about measles, visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/measles or call 2-1-1.
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