Child measles case at Sacramento hospital may have exposed 200 people, health officials say

At least 200 Northern California residents may have been exposed to measles after a child with the airborne disease came to the UC Davis Medical Center's emergency department twice during the past week, Sacramento County health officials said May 9.

A child came to the Oak Park facility on the Monday between 10 p.m. to 3:15 a.m. and then again on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., a news release said. The child—whose age public health officials declined to disclose—experienced measles symptoms on Monday, and was ultimately diagnosed on Wednesday, said Sacramento Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye in a phone interview.

In all, health officials estimate about 200 people may have been exposed and health officials have begun to inform people they can contact about getting tested, said Elizabeth Zelidon, a spokeswoman for Sacramento County public health department. Outpatients and inpatients have been exposed, but UC Davis medical center officials are still tallying the final number.

The infected child is "doing well" at home, Kasirye said, who added there was no history of international travel for the juvenile.

UC Davis Medical Center officials did not immediately return a request for comment.

The case marks the second time a child has tested for the extremely contagious virus this year in Sacramento County. In March, an infant brought to both San Joaquin County and UCDMC's emergency department exposed more than 300 people across 16 Northern California counties, according to The Sacramento Bee's previous reporting.

The infant arrived to America from abroad in March's case.

Measles is a highly contagious disease in which 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus can be infected via airborne particles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles manifests as a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, according to the CDC.

Symptoms appear seven to 21 days after initial exposure to the virus, which can last in the air for up to two hours. Exposed residents should monitor themselves for fevers or unexplained rashes.

Unvaccinated people or those who don't know if they've been inoculated against the disease should talk with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella shot within three days of exposure, Kasirye said.

Anyone who's been exposed should refrain from going to a health care provider in-person or to the emergency department, she said. Call ahead before arriving to the health care facility so medical professionals can take the appropriate safety precautions, she said.

The California Public Health Department reported six confirmed cases of measles throughout the state, according to data last updated on Saturday. The state public health department didn't record any measles cases in April, but four cases in March.

Residents should also take this case as a reminder to get vaccinated with the MMR shot, Kasirye said.

"People do need to be vigilant," she said.

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