Child measles case might have exposed hundreds

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — At least 200 Northern California residents might 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 Thursday.

A child came to the Oak Park facility on 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 diagnosed on Wednesday, said Sacramento Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye in a phone interview.

In all, health officials estimate about 200 people might 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.

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

Measles is a highly contagious disease in which 90 percent 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.