TO CLOSE

The most recent patient is an unvaccinated woman who has been hospitalized and has been put in isolation to prevent others from being exposed.
Mike Chapman, Wochit

Editor's Note: This story is open to all readers as a public service of our community.

Health officials said that a third case of measles had been confirmed in Shasta County.

The most recent patient is a contagious adult resident when he went to the cinema at Cinemark Redding 14 on April 16th.

"As a precaution, we encourage anyone who visits Movies 14 between 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Tuesday, April 16 to monitor the symptoms and report them to their health care provider, if applicable," said the health center. Shasta County Social Services. Agency said in a press release Saturday.

Officials pointed out that there was no danger in the theater now.

"It is important to note that the theater is safe now and that the public should not have any concerns about the exposure there at the moment," said the agency.

Terri Fields Hosler, Shasta County Public Health Director, left, and Karen Ramstrom, County Health Officer, respond to reporters' questions on Thursday, April 11, 2019, regarding a second person being treated for measles in the county. (Photo: Mike Chapman / Record Searchlight)

This third case was verified on Friday and the person is isolated in a local hospital to prevent the disease from spreading.

According to officials, the latest case is related to the second case of measles in the county, identified April 11.

"Both cases are related," said Health and Social Services Agency spokeswoman Kerri Schuette.

The first case in the county was a woman who had been treated in Shasta County in March. Prior to this year, the last known case of measles in Shasta County was in 2014.

On Friday, there are 10 confirmed cases in Butte County, a confirmed case in Tehama County and three confirmed cases in Placer County, according to the Butte County Public Health Department.

Schuette said it was important for residents to monitor the onset of symptoms and contact their health care provider if they think they are catching measles.

It's also the pollen season, so people with allergies can eliminate the symptoms of measles because they can be comparable.

"We just want people to know that allergy symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of measles," said Schuette.

In general, measles begins with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red or pink eyes, county health officials said. The red rash develops a few days later, usually on the face, near the hairline, before spreading to the neck, trunk, arms, and legs.

"By the time a rash develops, a person is already contagious for four days," said the public health department.

Mike Chapman is a reporter at Record Searchlight in Redding, California. His journalism career extends to Yreka and Eureka, in northern California, and to Bellingham, Wash. Follow him on Twitter @mikechapman_RS. Subscribe today!

Read or share this story: https://www.redding.com/story/news/2019/04/20/shasta-county-reports-third-case-measles-warning-theater-goers/3531211002/