A 47-year-old who recently traveled internationally was diagnosed with measles and may have exposed others to the disease at multiple locations in Encinitas and Carlsbad, county health officials said Sunday.
This is the second case of measles diagnosed by county health officials this year. In February, an infant who had traveled abroad was diagnosed with a highly contagious illness.
The cases are not related, officials said. The person diagnosed this weekend was still hospitalized on Sunday. No details about the patient have been released.
Measles develops seven to 21 days after exposure and early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, authorities said. A distinctive red rash usually appears one to four days after the first symptoms, they said.
County officials are working with Scripps Encinitas Hospital and Scripps Coastal Medical Center to identify people who may have been exposed.
The county also works to notify people of certain locations on certain days.
They include Naked Cafe and Ralphs in Encinitas on March 22; Leo Mullin Sports Park on March 23; Trader Joe’s and the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Encinitas on March 24; TinLeaf Fresh Kitchen in Carlsbad and Ralphs in Encinitas on Monday; Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas Thursday; and the emergency department at Scripps Hospital Encinitas Friday and Saturday.
“Anyone who is at any of the specific locations and on the dates and times listed above should monitor themselves for symptoms and call their health care provider if they experience signs of illness,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, deputy public health officer for the county. “Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be spread easily by coughing, sneezing or being in the same room as an infected person. »
Complications of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia, officials said. Death can occur from serious complications and the risk is higher in young children and adults, they said.
County officials recommend measles vaccines. They found on Sunday that the infant diagnosed in February had not been vaccinated.
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