A case of measles in San Diego County has been confirmed in an infant who was recently overseas and may have exposed others, mostly in East County, officials said.
The unimmunized 1-year-old, according to the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, has been hospitalized and health officials say others may have encountered the child at:
- Super China Buffet, 7984 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
- Hilton Head County Park, 1605 Hilton Head Road, El Cajon, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
- Grossmont Pediatrics, 6942 University Ave. A, La Mesa, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday
- Rady Children’s Emergency Department, 3020 Children’s Way, 1st Floor, San Diego from 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
The county is working with Grossmont Pediatrics and Rady Children’s Hospital to identify and follow up with patients and staff who may have been exposed, as well as management at Super China Buffet.
County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten said in a statement, “Measles is a very contagious disease that can be spread easily by coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room with an infected person. Anyone who was at any of the specific locations and at the dates and times listed above should watch for symptoms and call their health care provider if they show any signs of the disease.”
According to county health officials, the ailment develops seven to 21 days after exposure.
Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, with a red rash usually appearing one to four days after the first symptoms. A person is considered contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.
The rash usually starts on the face and head and proceeds downwards, then to the hands and feet, and will fade in the same order it began.
Anyone who develops symptoms was advised to call their medical provider in advance instead of showing up in person unannounced. With advance warning, “infection control measures may be activated to prevent exposure to others.”
Officials said complications from measles are more common in children under 5 years of age or adults over 20.
Those complications can include diarrhea, ear infection, and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications; the risk is higher among younger children and adults.
While there is no treatment for measles, health officials recommended bed rest, fluids and fever control.
According to Wooten, “The best way to prevent measles is by getting the measles vaccine. With measles outbreaks occurring in several countries, it is very important that all international travelers get vaccinated. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age who travel should get one dose, and travelers over 12 months of age should get two doses at least four weeks apart.”
The county says this is the first confirmed measles case in the county since 2019, when two cases were reported in an unvaccinated infant and a vaccinated person who was in contact with the child.
– City News Service
