UH OH: More than 100 people in Humboldt exposed to measles last week (but most likely immune, DHHS says) | Lost Coast Outpost

Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Public health staff have been in contact with at least 109 people who were exposed to measles after a person infected with the virus visited two Eureka sites late last week and are asking everyone anyone who thinks they have been exposed, but has not been contacted, to call. 707-268-2182.

Through interviews, vaccination records, and in some cases immunity testing, the majority of those exposed are likely immune to measles, and 10 people have received the prophylactic post-exposure vaccine that can be administered up to 72 hours after exposure.

On Friday, May 10, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services issued a press release informing the community that individuals who visited the Days Inn by Wyndham, 270 Fifth St. in Eureka, from Thursday, May 9 to 2 p.m. to Friday, May 10, at 3 a.m., or at the emergency department of Providence St. Joseph Hospital, 2700 Dolbeer Street in Eureka, on Friday, May 10, between 2:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. He may have been exposed to measles.

If you were inside any of these locations during the hours listed and have not been in contact with Public Health staff, please call 707-268-2182, whether you are present or not symptoms. A public health nurse will assess your possible exposure, help determine your immune status and provide you with additional information.

Anyone who contracted the virus after last week’s exposure would begin to be contagious from Friday morning until May 31. If you think you have measles, contact your primary care provider or public health. Do not physically enter a medical facility.
According to the California Department of Public Health, measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the mucus of an infected person’s nose and throat. It can be spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The virus can survive for up to an hour in an airspace after the infected person has left the area, and other people who breathe contaminated air or touch the infected surfacethen touching their eyes, nose or mouth can become infected.

It can take 7 to 21 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to measles, and symptoms usually begin with a fever that lasts a few days, followed by cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (eye pink) and a rash. The rash usually appears first on the face, along the hairline and behind the ears, and then affects the rest of the body. Infected people are usually contagious about four days before their rash starts and four days afterward. Children under 5 years old and people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems are most at risk of severe illness and complications from measles.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective in preventing the disease. For more information about the vaccine, contact your primary care provider and visit cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html.

Most digital immunization records for children and young adults are available through the California Department of Public Health’s digital immunization record: myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.