The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating an additional confirmed case of measles in a county resident.
This case of measles is linked to a recent case in LA County.
Public Health is looking to identify others who are at risk for measles. Public Health urges residents, especially those who travel internationally and those who have not been fully protected to get the measles 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 public locations were visited by the person with measles while infectious. The potential public exposure locations, days and times were as follows:
* October 15, 2019, 7:20 a.m. to 9:35 a.m.: Starbucks, 2215 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles 90064
* October 16, 2019, 7:50 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Starbucks, 3006 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles 90034
* October 16, 2019, 9:15 a.m. to 8:35 p.m.: Disneyland, Anaheim 92802
* October 17, 2019, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Factor’s Famous Deli, 9420 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles 90035
Public Health will provide an update with more possible exposure times and locations as details become available.
Anyone who may have been at these locations on these dates during these time frames may be at risk of developing measles for up to 21 days after being exposed and should:
* Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles. People who have not had the infection previously or received the immunization may not be immune and should talk with a health care provider about receiving measles, mumps and rubella or 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 seven 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.
This was the 19th case of measles reported among Los Angeles County residents in 2019, in addition to 11 non-resident measles cases that traveled through the county (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments).
The majority of cases to date were unimmunized or did not know whether they had ever been immunized.
“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. 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 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 another 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 a case of measles, in order to try to prevent further spread. Public Health communicates with health care providers, health plans, local governments, schools, and elected officials to provide updates on measles cases and actions they can take to help prevent the spread of measles and support the Department of Public Health’s countywide response.
Immunizations are available at healthcare providers, local pharmacies or health clinics. 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://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/measles.
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