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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a measles warning after a diagnosis of illness was diagnosed Sunday in the Boston Metropolitan Area.
The victim went to several public places while she was contagious and could have transmitted the virus to other people. The measles virus, which is highly contagious, can live on surfaces for at least two hours, officials said.
"The measles virus is currently causing significant measles outbreaks at the national and international levels.The absence of vaccination, combined with national and international travel, has resulted in the spread of the disease. "said Dr. Catherine Brown, an epidemiologist in the state of Massachusetts. "Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from this disease."
Officials in Rockland County, New York, have battled an outbreak of the disease for at least six months. The epidemic has been particularly prevalent in the Orthodox Jewish community. The county has declared state of emergency to prohibit unvaccinated children and adolescents from gaining access to public places.
Measles outbreaks call for vaccination recall for US travelers
The CDC warns against the return of measles to the country by US travelers in countries affected by the outbreak.
The Ministry of Public Health sends an alert to anyone who has not been vaccinated or who is not immune to measles; she may be at risk of contracting measles if exposed.
Those who visited the following locations at times and dates could have been exposed and should contact their health care provider: Tuesday between 1:40 pm and 4:40 pm, KKatie's Burger Bar, extension of Main Street in Plymouth; On Wednesdays between 8:40 am and 10:45 am, Starbucks, 12 Market Place Drive, Waltham; Wednesday, from 2:05 pm to 4:20 pm, Framingham Service Plaza, Massachusetts, Highway West; Thursdays, 8:50 am to 11:10 am, Staples, 800 Lexington Street, Waltham; Thursday from 9:10 am to 11:15 am, Dunkin at Wal-Lex Mall, Waltham; Thursday, from 11:55 am to 2:05 pm, Whole Foods, 990 Lyannough Street, Hyannis and Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:50 pm, Target, 250 Granite St., Braintree.
People who have not been vaccinated or are unaware of their measles immunization status should be immunized with at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles vaccine administered within 72 hours of exposure can prevent the disease, and vaccination beyond this period will provide protection against subsequent exposures. The department, local health departments and health care providers work together to contact people at high risk of exposure, Brown said.
People born before 1957 would be immune, Brown said.
People with measles can be contagious until four days before the onset of rash and four days after the day of the onset of rash. Unvaccinated persons should therefore limit their exposure to public places.
The symptoms of measles appear between 10 days and two weeks after exposure. They can start with cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and runny nose. A rash occurs two to four days after the onset of the first symptoms. It usually appears on the head and spreads down. It usually lasts a few days, she said.
Those who have been exposed and are beginning to develop measles symptoms should call their health care provider before going to an office, clinic or emergency department to avoid spreading the disease, Brown said.
Children should receive their first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. School-aged children need two doses of MMR vaccine and adults should receive at least one dose of the vaccine if they have not been vaccinated. People at risk, including international travelers, health professionals and students, should receive two doses of the vaccine, she said.
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