Measles Alert

San Juan County Health and Community Services Issues Measles Health Alert

A San Juan Island adult has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of measles. The dates this person was contagious are from March 21, 2014 to March 29, 2014.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory viral disease that spreads easily when the infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. The virus remains in the air up to two hours even after that person is gone. All persons who are exposed to the virus and have not been immunized against measles will most likely get the disease. The symptoms of measles will be present 7-21 days after exposure. Symptoms are high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a rash of tiny, red spots that starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles is especially dangerous for children under 12 months of age, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons.

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, usually administered to children at 12-15 months old and at 4-6 years old. To be considered immune, a person should have two documented doses of the MMR vaccine. Most adults born before 1957 had measles and are considered to be immune. Adults born in and after 1957 should have had at least one dose of MMR or have evidence of immunity.

You may have been exposed to measles if you were at the following locations:

• The Bean Cafe
  • March 23 from 3:00 pm until 5:30 pm (new information)
• Cask and Schooner on:
  • March 21 from 3:45 pm until 12 midnight
  • March 22 from 3:45 pm to 1:15 am
  • March 23 from 4:00 pm to 12 midnight
  • March 24 from 2:45 pm to 12 midnight
• China Pearl ( upstairs bar only) on:
  • March 22 from 11:30 pm until 3 am
• King’s Market on:
  • March 24 from 3:00 pm until 5:30 pm

If you were at any of the above locations on the mentioned dates, and either don’t have or are unsure if you have immunity, please contact your health care provider or the San Juan County Health Department at 378-4474. The San Juan County Health Department will be available to address any concerns or answer any questions.

For more information on measles, please go to this link (PDF)

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.