County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials have announced that a San Diego male has been diagnosed with measles. The 27-year-old Poway man started exhibiting symptoms after traveling to the Philippines and Thailand.
“Measles is highly contagious and is spread easily by coughing, sneezing or even coming in close contact with an infected person,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “The individual visited several places during the time he was infectious. Anyone who was at those locations during the same time, and who develops a rash and fever, should contact their medical provider by telephone and be evaluated for measles.”
According to a press release from the county, potential for public exposure to measles due to this case occurred at the following locations:
- Rite Aid, 11845 Carmel Mountain Road, on March 12th from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
- Costco, 12350 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, on March 7th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and March 9th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- The Radisson Hotel, 11520 West Bernardo Court, on March 3rd in the evening and March 4th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We want to assure the public there is no longer a risk of contracting measles by visiting any of the above locations because of this exposure,” said McDonald. “Measles virus may stay suspended in the air for up to two hours after an infectious person has been present, but there is no risk of infection after that time.”
The most common symptoms caused by measles are rash, runny nose, high fever and a cough. Further complications are most common in children younger than 5 years of age or adults 20 years and older.
There is no treatment for the measles, but the best prevention is getting the measles vaccine which is part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunization.
The last case of measles in San Diego County was in August, 2010.
