MORE MEASLES CASES: 13 CONFIRMED COUNTYWIDE

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East County News Service

Update January 21, 2015: 13 cases are now confirmed, the County reports.

January 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A measles outbreak in San Diego County has now climbed to 10 confirmed cases and 3 more suspected cases. That includes 9 confirmed cases in East County and one in San Diego. The 3 suspected cases are in North County.

All of the local cases so far are linked to an outbreak at Disneyland.  But people with measles locally visited many public places, so if you visited any of them, you may have been exposed to the disease.

Measles is highly contagious up to four days before symptoms occur. You can get measles simply by breathing in the air near an infected person.

Measles had been declared eliminated in the U.S. back in 2000, but last year, 644 cases were reported in 27 states, many from people who visited other countries and were not vaccinated. A rise in parents who refuse to vaccinate their children has resulted in a resurgence in the disease, which can cause serious complications or even death.

The vaccine is effective 99% of the time, but that leaves 1% of those vaccinated who can still contract measles.  Symptoms appear 7 to 21 days after exposure.  Early symptoms include high fever, red eyes, cough and runny nose. A distinctive red rash appears three to five days later, starting on the face and head, then spreading to the body, hands and feet.

Most Americans born in 1957 or later have had the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR vaccine.  The vaccine is recommended at 12 months of age with a booster vaccine between four and six years of age. There is no treatment for measles, though treatment may be needed for serious complications such as pneumonia or ear infections.  Bed rest, fluids and fever control medications are recommended.

Here are the public places in San Diego County where exposures occurred. For more details such as the exact times of exposures, visit www.SDIZ.org.

In East County: 

CVS Pharmacy and Vons supermarket, both on Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon on January 14th

Parkway Plaza Shopping mall in El Cajon on December 29th, especially at the carousel, GameStop and Sunglasses Hut

Sharp-Rees Stealy Urgent Care Clinic near Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa on January 3rd and January 14th

Trader Joe in La Mesa on January 12

Rite Aid Pharmacy on Alpine Blvd. in Alpine on January 13

Absolute Personal Fitness and the Julian Fitness Center on Main Street in Julian on January 9

In San Diego:

The City of San Diego Operations Building on First Avenue on January 12, 13 and 14

In North County:

The Vista Community Clinic on January 16

Sprouts Farmers Market on January 14

Albertsons in Carlsbad on January 13

Regal Carlsbad 12 theater in Carlsbad on January 6

Phil’s BBQ in San Marcos on January 11

Ice-Plex in Escondido on December 30th

The County News Center has additional details on these local exposures and local cases. 

If you visited any of these places during those dates, watch for symptoms. If you suspect that you or a family member has measles, call to report it to your doctor before visiting, so precautions can be taking to avoid infecting others, the County urges. Many U.S. physicians have never seen a case of measles before. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reminds medical professionals to isolate patients suspected of having measles. Measles germs can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected individuals coughs or sneezes.

Measles is on the rise globally as well as in the U.S.  One of the worst outbreaks is in the Philippines, where over 21,000 cases have been confirmed and more than 57,000 cases are suspected, according to the World Health Organization. The Centers for Disease Control posts updates for travelers as well as other resources on measles and the measles vaccine.

For more information, you can visit

www.CDC.gov

http://www.countynewscenter.com/news/three-probable-measles-cases-reported

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/measles-cases-hit-record-levels-in-u-s-vaccinations-encouraged-1.2620724

 


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