Measles Patients Identified As Framingham, Spencer Residents
FRAMINGHAM (CBS) – A restaurant and a corporation in Framingham are now dealing with exposure to measles, a day after it was revealed an infected person was at a Trader Joe's in town.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Monday that two cases of measles had been diagnosed in the past week in residents living in the Metrowest area.
DPH would not release specifics about the two cases, but Steven Ward, Framingham's Director of Public Health, revealed Tuesday the patients are from Framingham and Spencer.
Ward said the Framingham resident was in the Trader Joe's store on Feb. 15 and 16 and also spent time at the Samba restaurant on Route 9 between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 15.
Ward also confirmed that the second infected person was a Spencer resident who works at Bose headquarters.
Bose has notified its exposed employees and it's" taking the appropriate steps to ensure the employees' vaccination," Ward said in a statement.
"There is no evidence that the public was exposed at this location," he said.
Bose released the following statement, Tuesday afternoon:
"There's been a confirmed case of measles at one of our Framingham, Massachusetts facilities. We have followed all state and local guidelines to protect and inform our employees."
Bose is planning to offer vaccinations for its employees.
The Framingham Health Department posted community health notices and organized vaccination clinics at Trader Joe's and Samba.
Samba's clinic will be held Tuesday evening at the restaurant.
RECOGNIZING MEASLES
The measles look and feel like a cold at first.
Patients may develop a cough, fever, runny rose and red watery eyes.
These first symptoms start about ten days after infection.
A few days later, a red blotchy rash starts on the face then spreads to the rest of the body.
According to the DPH, measles is a very contagious disease that usually lasts a week or two. It can cause serious problems like ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain in some people, especially pregnant women, infants, and those with weakened immune systems. Adults are also at increased risk for severe disease and may need to be hospitalized due to complications.
The DPH has the following tips for people who believe they may have been exposed to measles.
What should you do?
• If you were born in the U.S. before 1957, it is very likely that you are immune to measles. However, to increase the likelihood you are protected against measles, mumps and rubella, consider receiving a dose of MMR vaccine.
• If you were born in the US on or after 1957, and you do not have documentation of having 2 doses of MMR or measles-containing vaccine or serologic evidence of immunity, you must receive a dose of vaccine as soon as possible.
• If you were born outside of the US (regardless of year of birth), and you do not have documentation of having 2 doses of MMR or measles-containing vaccine, or serologic evidence of immunity, you should call your provider to receive a dose of vaccine as soon as possible.
A blood test showing you are protected against measles is also acceptable evidence of immunity. However, a past history of measles disease is not adequate proof of immunity.
If you develop symptoms of measles, please stay home and call your doctor.
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