Possible exposure to measles in local playgrounds, health care facilities

Murphys Community Park Children’s Area

San Andreas, California – A case of measles is being investigated by Calaveras Public Health in a child under 5 years old. Public health officials report that the child has not been vaccinated against measles and has since recovered and that there has been no known travel outside of Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.

Calaveras public health officials have identified several locations where the public may have been exposed:
September 10: Angels Camp Farmer’s Market and Playground at Utica Park
September 12: Murphys Farmers Market and playground at Murphys Community Park
September 13: Playground at Murphys Community Park
September 15: Rapid care: Adventist Health, Angels Camp and Adventist Health Sonora Emergency Department
September 17: Arnold Medical Clinic: Dignity Health
September 20: Camp des Anges medical clinic: Health Dignity

Calaveras Public Health encourages people to check their immunization status to see if they have been vaccinated against measles. Two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles when exposed to the virus. If you have symptoms of measles, call your local health care provider to let them know. If you can, avoid entering a clinic without warning. No further details on why the child visited several local health facilities.

“Measles is a very contagious and serious disease. It is so contagious that 9 out of 10 people close to that person who are not immune will also be infected, ”said Dr René Ramirez, Calaveras County Health Officer. “Measles is a preventable disease. People should check their vaccination status to make sure they are fully protected against measles and, if not, get vaccinated, ”added Dr Ramirez.

Measles spreads through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes, according to Calaveras Public Health. A child can get measles just from being in a room where someone with measles has been, even for up to two hours after the person has left. Seven to 14 days after a measles infection, the first symptoms appear. It starts with a high fever (can reach over 104˚F), cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash 3 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The rash usually appears on the face along the hairline or behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body. An infected person can spread measles before they even know they have the disease – from four days before the rash starts to four days after the rash appears.