(Salt Lake City, UT) – Two Utah County residents have tested positive for measles after traveling to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in mid-December, where public health officials believe they were exposed to the virus. The two Utah cases are part of a larger outbreak being investigated in California. Public health officials there have confirmed seven total cases along with three suspect cases during the time period of December 15-20, 2014.
Individuals who came into contact with the two Utah cases may also have been exposed to the virus and public health officials are working to track down and notify these people.
The infected individuals in Utah County would have been contagious from December 27, 2014 through January 5, 2015 and attended several events during the infectious period. Public health is urging anyone who was present at any of the following locations at the specified dates and times to contact the Utah Poison Control Center, which is screening individuals for potential exposure, at 1-800-456-7707, or visit the web site www.health.utah.gov/measles:
• FRIDAY, 12/26/14 - MACEY’S GROCERY STORE, OREM , 5:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
• FRIDAY, 12/26/14 - CINEMARK MOVIES 8, PROVO, 4:00 P.M. - 8 P.M.
• FRIDAY, 12/26/14 - CARMIKE WYNNSONG 12, PROVO, 10:00 P.M. TO CLOSING
• SUNDAY, 12/28/14 - GENEVA HEIGHTS LDS CHURCH BUILDING, 847 WEST 800 NORTH, OREM, 12:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
• MONDAY, 12/29/14 - WALMART, SANDHILL ROAD, OREM, 9:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
• FRIDAY, 1/2/15 - OREM COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, EAST ENTRANCE LOBBY, LAB OR GIFT SHOP, OREM, 4:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
• SATURDAY, 1/3/15 - TIMPANOGOS REGIONAL HOSPITAL, ER WAITING ROOM AND REGISTRATION DESK, OREM, 12:30 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M.
• SATURDAY, 1/3/15 - TIMPANOGOS REGIONAL HOSPITAL LAB WAITING ROOM, OREM, 1:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
• SUNDAY, 1/4/15 - TIMPANOGOS REGIONAL HOSPITAL LAB WAITING ROOM, OREM , 1:45 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
Public health officials need to know if people at these locations during the specified times are fully vaccinated in order to implement appropriate measures to contain the outbreak.
Individuals who were exposed to the virus and are not fully vaccinated will be asked to quarantine themselves in their homes until their infectious period has passed. This means no school, work, church, travel, outside contacts or community events for 21 days from the date of exposure to an infected individual.
To achieve maximum protection from the measles, individuals must receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Those who haven’t had two doses, or those who aren’t sure if they are fully immunized, should contact their health care provider or their local health department. It is especially important for pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems to be protected as these individuals may develop more severe illness.
Symptoms of measles include a fever of 101°F or higher, cough, runny nose and a rash that spreads to cover the body. The rash usually occurs within two weeks of exposure. The virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, and is so contagious that 90 percent of people in close contact with an infectious person will get the disease if they’re not immunized.
If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider and let them know you may have the measles. It is important that you do not visit a physician’s office, emergency room, lab or any medical clinic without first calling the facility and informing them of your exposure to measles. This will enable the facility to take the necessary precautions to protect other individuals from possible exposure.
The best way to protect yourself and your family from measles – as well as many other preventable diseases – is to be fully immunized. Children and adults can receive vaccinations for diseases such as measles, pertussis, and influenza, which protect not only themselves, but helps to limit the spread of disease in the community. For general information on vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases, please visit http://www.immunize-utah.org/, or call the Utah Department of Health Immunization hotline at 1-800-275-0659, or your local health department.
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Media Contacts:
Rebecca Ward, Utah Department of Health
(o) 801.538.6682
(c) 801.352.1270
Lance Madigan, Utah County Health Department
(phone/text) 385.204.4627
