Public health officials are trying to track down anyone who came into contact with a visitor who had been exposed to measles.
The exposed person traveled out of San Jose Mineta International Airport July 2, according to a press release from Santa Clara County Public Health Department. The exposed person, an adult who was exposed to measles in a different state, visited the following locations:
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Starbucks, 624 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 1)
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Taqueria Los Pericos, 139 Water St., Santa Cruz (6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, July 1)
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San Jose Mineta International Airport, Terminal B, Southwest Airlines Flight WN 2804 (5:15 a.m. to 7:30 a,m. Tuesday, July 2)
If you visited any of these locations, doctors at the health department urge you to review your immunization records to learn if you are protected against measles. Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov or contact your doctor.
“Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when someone with measles speaks, coughs, or sneezes. It is very easy for anyone close to the individual to become infected,” said Dr. Monika Roy, the county health department’s communicable disease controller. “Quick action can prevent many more people from becoming sick with this serious disease.”
Immediately call your doctor if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, are unimmunized or if you have an infant that has been exposed. Monitor for symptoms for seven to 21 days after the day of potential exposure.
Common symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash. It is very important to call ahead to any hospital before going there and tell them that you may have been exposed to measles so that the employees can protect other patients and visitors from exposure.
The county health department is working with the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health and management at the locations the exposed person visited to track down those that may have been exposed.
Santa Clara County benefits from very high rates of vaccination against measles, according to the county health department. Most people received two doses of measles vaccine (“MMR vaccine”) as children and are therefore at much lower risk of getting measles. Young children, unvaccinated children and adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing more severe health complications. Two doses of MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles.
Measles immunizations are available at your healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or health clinic. The Public Health Department offers immunizations, which are usually covered by insurance: sccphd.org/iz.
For more information about measles, visit the County’s website sccphd.org/measles.