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BOSTON – Public health officials alert the public to the fact that a person diagnosed with measles in the Boston metropolitan area has visited various parts of the state, where others may have been exposed.
The infected person, who was diagnosed Sunday, went to several places in Massachusetts and parts of Maine during the infectious period, according to health officials from both states. In Massachusetts, sites include Plymouth, Waltham, Braintree, Framingham, Wellesley and Hyannis. In Maine, sites include Falmouth and Westbrook.
The state says it has warned both facilities and works with them to make sure that potentially exposed people are aware of it. The Massachusetts resident visited businesses in the Portland area in the late morning and early afternoon.
"The measles virus is currently causing significant measles outbreaks at the national and international levels and the lack of vaccination, combined with domestic and international travel, has resulted in the spread of the disease. "said Dr. Catherine Brown, epidemiologist in the state of Massachusetts, in a statement. . "Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from this disease." The infected person also visited Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Wellesley on Friday afternoon, confirmed Boston 25 News.
Mass. Public Health Officer: 2019 could be "another great year" for measles >>
One woman, who did not want to be identified, told Boston 25 News that she was at the medical center for her annual medical check-up at the same time as the infected person. The woman received a phone call from the facility Monday to warn her that she may have been exposed to measles.
Woman in the waiting room with an infected patient @ boston25: "I was there for my annual medical exam … so they brought me in and got vaccinated against MMR while I was vaccinated as a child." Https://t.co/ thQ5iifPVm
– Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) April 2, 2019
"Someone in the waiting room with me was tested positive [the measles]Said the woman. "So they brought me in and got vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) while I was vaccinated in my childhood."
Dr. Preeti Mehrotra, director of infection control at Atrius Health Medical, the parent company of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, told 25 News in Boston:
"Atrius Health's top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our patients. We had a confirmed case of measles infection at our Harvard Vanguard Wellesley office and worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. All exposed patients and staff were quickly identified and contacted as part of our control efforts. "
Boston 25 News asked the state health department why the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates of Wellesley was not included in a statement listing the places the infected person had visited. A spokesperson told us that health facilities usually make their own notifications.
OFFICIALS AWARE OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO BOSTON MOTHERS IN NH
Measles is very contagious. Non-immunized individuals who have visited one of the sites at the dates and times indicated below may be at risk of contracting measles and it is advisable to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status.
"It's so contagious that it's probably the most contagious disease we know," said Dr. Larry Madhoff, adding that 90% of unvaccinated and measles-exposed people would not have it.
Those who have not been vaccinated or are unaware of their measles immunization status should be vaccinated with at least one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Measles vaccine administered within 72 hours of exposure can prevent the disease, and vaccination beyond this period will provide protection against subsequent exposures.
DPH, local health services and health care providers strive to contact people at high risk of exposure.
Places in Massachusetts, including dates and times, where the infected person may have exposed other people, include:
Tuesday, March 26th:
13:40 KKatie's Burger Bar, 38, Main St Ext, Plymouth
Wednesday, March 27th:
8:40 am to 10:45 am: Starbucks, 12 Market Place Drive, Waltham
14:05 16:20: Framingham Service Plaza on I-90 Westbound
Thursday, March 28th:
8:50 am to 11:10 am, Staples, 800 Lexington Street, Waltham
9:10 am to 11:15 am, Dunkin 'Donuts, Wal-Lex Mall
876A Lexington St., Waltham
From 11:55 am to 2:05 pm, Whole Foods, 990 Lyannough Road, Hyannis
14h to 16h05, Target, 250 Granite Street, Braintree
Places in Maine where the infected person may have exposed other people include:
Wednesday, March 27th:
In the late morning and early afternoon, a skin clinic in Falmouth and Maine
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.
The first symptoms of measles occur 10 days to 2 weeks after exposure and may look like a cold (fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes) and a rash appears on the skin 2 to 4 days after the appearance of the first symptoms.
The rash usually appears first on the head and then decreases. The rash usually lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order. People with measles can be contagious until four days before the onset of rash and for four days after the day of onset of rash.
Stephanie Ennis, of Plymouth, is said to be worried because she's fighting breast cancer and she's just finished a series of chemotherapies. She fears that someone has unconsciously exposed other people to measles.
"Personally, I fly with a mask, so I try to protect myself as much as possible," Ennis said.
The CDC's recommendations are:
• children. Children should receive their first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after 12 to 15 months. Children of school age need two doses of MMR vaccine.
• Adults. Adults should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Some high-risk groups need two doses of MMR, such as international travelers, health care workers and students. Adults born in the United States prior to 1957 are considered immunized against measles from past exposures.
For more information, contact your local health department or the DPH of the state at 617-983-6800.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
© 2019 Cox Media Group.
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