Child Diagnosed With Measles In Mass., Public In Quincy And Weymouth Warned About Exposure
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) is warning the public that a child recently diagnosed with the measles may have exposed others in multiple public locations.
Anyone who visited the following locations who are not sure if they are immune to the disease should contact their health care provider:
- The Weymouth Club on Finnell Drive in Weymouth on May 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Jack 'n' Jill Childcare at Marina Bay on Victory Road in North Quincy on May 21 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- The Star Market on Granite Avenue in Quincy on May 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Quincy YMCA on Coddington Street in Quincy on May 22 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Jack 'n' Jill Childcare at Marina Bay on Victory Road in North Quincy on May 23 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Crown Colony Medical Center on Congress Street in Quincy on May 24 from 9:10 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
Shoppers at the Star Market in Quincy said they planned to make sure they washed their hands and produce carefully.
"I have two kids and have been terrified since the measles outbreak started and people don't vaccinate their kids - I just don't know why," said shopper Amanda Pfistner, of Quincy.
"Ugh, I know when I go back I'm going to wash my hands!" Nahomie Civil, of Quincy, said outside the market.
"Oh, it definitely makes me nervous. I'm going to make sure I wash all my fruits and vegetables I get," said shopper Mark Evju, of Quincy.
Symptoms for the measles include high fever, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis before a body rash. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infected is present.
The child was diagnosed on May 24. This is the second case of measles in Massachusetts this year.
"Massachusetts has pretty strict standards with respect to school-aged children, meaning they have to demonstrate they've been vaccinated before going to school," Gov. Charlie Baker said.
"Lack of vaccination, combined with domestic and international travel, has resulted in the spread of measles nationally and internationally," said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel in a statement. "Getting vaccinated is the best way for people to protect themselves from this disease."
Getting the vaccine with 72 hours of exposure may also prevent the disease. The CDC says if you've had the measles or have been vaccinated, chances are you're immune to the virus, but if you think you've been exposed - you're urged to give your doctor a call rather than visiting the office to avoid passing it onto others.
