A 1-year-old who recently traveled outside the United States is the first person in San Diego County to test positive for measles since 2019, and local health officials are warning of possible exposures in several public locations.
The highly contagious disease, which has no treatment other than bed rest, fluids and fever control, is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable infant mortality, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transmitted inside the microscopic water droplets ejected when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the measles virus is said to be able to linger in still indoor air for up to two hours. The disease is characterized by a distinctive rash that starts at the hairline, moving to the head and neck.
People with measles are said to be infectious for an eight-day span that starts four days before the rash appears, and that means that an infected person may visit many public locations before they realize they could spread the virus to others.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health officer and director, said that the measles infection window dictated her department’s approach when a local health care provider reported the case late Thursday.
“The child presented with a classic rash, which means they had been infectious for some time, at least three to four days, so we immediately started our contact investigation, asking where the parent and the child went since they returned from their international travel,” Wooten said. “The child is hospitalized and doing well.”
Wooten declined to say more about the child’s gender, current city of residence or location of travel, citing a need to protect the family’s privacy. Measles infection can be prevented through vaccination, but the child was not vaccinated.
Locations where members of the public visited during the period when the child was contagious include:
- Super China Buffett, 7984 La Mesa Blvd., Jan. 28, 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Hilton Head County Park, 1605 Hilton Head Road, El Cajon, Jan. 28, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Grossmont Pediatrics, 6942 University Ave A, La Mesa, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Rady Children’s Hospital emergency department, Feb. 1, 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wooten said county health investigators have already identified between 200 and 300 people who were exposed at public locations. All, she said, have been advised to be on the lookout for early measles symptoms and to isolate themselves from others if they appear.
The early symptoms of measles, which may occur days before a rash appears, include fever, a runny nose, cough and red eyes. Anyone exhibiting those symptoms and who visited identified locations at specified times is urged to contact their health provider.
Public health officials urge anyone with symptoms to call ahead before visiting their health care location to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms or other shared treatment areas. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses that infects humans. Each case is thought to potentially infect between 12 and 18 additional people.
For more information call (866) 358-2966 or visit www.sdiz.org.
