300 exposed to measles after infected children visit California hospital

American news

as if David Propper

Hundreds of people could have been exposed to measles after a child with the highly contagious disease went to an urgent care center and hospital in Northern California earlier this month, health officials said.

The child’s visit to health facilities on March 5 sparked alarm as authorities try to track down nearly 300 people exposed to measles.

The young man visited San Joaquin Urgent Care and was then referred to the emergency room at UC Davis. El Dorado County officials said..

Those exposed were unvaccinated and were at UC Davis between noon and 5 p.m. on March 5.

El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Matthew Minson said in a statement: “Please do not go straight to the emergency room as this could increase the spread and put others at risk.”

A spokesman for the Sacramento County Public Health Office said people from 16 counties were exposed He told the Sacramento Bee.

The hospital said it has the problem “under control” and is making all-out efforts to locate those affected.

“UC Davis has a record of every patient and staff member in the emergency department that day, and notifications of exposures are sent through phone calls, the electronic medical record’s online messaging portal, letters, in person and to patient care teams. “They were admitted from the emergency department at the time,” the hospital said. by CNN.

A spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Public Health Service He told the San Francisco Chronicle. About 30 people were in the urgent care center when the child was there, but all had been vaccinated against measles, which reduces the risk.

The potentially fatal disease begins seven to 14 days after initial exposure Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Infants and young children are most at risk for serious side effects, including high fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, according to the CDC.

Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems may also suffer more.

Measles vaccine is the best protection against the disease.