Possible measles exposure in California: Hospital reaches out to about 300 people who may have been exposed | Top Vip News

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A California medical center is trying to contact about 300 people who were possibly exposed to measles after a child was treated for the contagious viral disease at a Sacramento hospital last week, officials said.

The boy had returned from international travel and was evaluated on March 5 at the UC Davis Health emergency department between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Sacramento County officials said in a news release..

The hospital said it “has the situation under control” and said it has begun contacting about 300 people at the facility who may have been exposed. He said: “There are no additional potential exposures at UC Davis Medical Center beyond those individuals who have been identified and contacted.”

“UC Davis has a record of every patient and employee in the Emergency Department that day, and notifications about possible exposure are sent via phone calls, the electronic medical record online messaging portal, letters, in person and to patient care teams. who were admitted from the Emergency Department during the time period,” hospital officials said in a news release.

Those who are not vaccinated against measles, or those with unknown vaccination status who were in the UC Davis Medical Center emergency department during that time, are at risk of developing measles between seven and 21 days after exposure, officials said. Sacramento County Public Health Department.

People at risk were asked to review their vaccination records, contact their health care provider and monitor themselves for illness.

“Those who are at risk of exposure are being contacted by Infection Prevention, and care teams caring for current hospitalized patients are being educated about the need for appropriate infection prevention processes,” the news release reads.

The boy was first seen at San Joaquin Urgent Care in El Dorado County, where “a small number of residents” may have been among those exposed, officials there said in a separate statement. Press release.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause complications and become fatal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles often begins with a mild to moderate fever, along with cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, health officials said. Some patients also report diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Typically, a blotchy red rash appears first on the face and quickly spreads to the chest, back, thighs, and feet.

It is transmitted through the respiratory route and can live in the air for up to an hour when an infectious person coughs or sneezes, officials said.

Since the beginning of the year, a total of 45 cases of measles have been reported in 17 states, according to the CENTERS FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES.

In 2023, the total number of registered cases was 58.

Public health experts are concerned about the rising number of cases this year.

“Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but it remains the most easily transmitted human virus in circulation today,” Dr. Marcus Plescia, medical director of ASTHO, said in a statement last month. “Fortunately, by following established public health principles, Americans can make informed decisions, prevent outbreaks, and protect our communities. “Vaccination is the best and safest way to protect children.”

The rise in measles cases is partly due to falling vaccination rates and increased travel, which can lead to unvaccinated people contracting measles abroad and bringing it back to the U.S. ., according to the CDC.

Experts recommend that children receive the measles, mumps and rubella or MMR vaccine in two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years. One dose is approximately 93% effective in preventing measles infection; two doses are approximately 97% effective.

Nationally, about 92% of American children have received the MMR vaccine by age 2, according to a 2023 CDC report, below the federal goal of 95%.

The percentage of kindergartners receiving state-required measles vaccines also remained below the federal goal for the 2022-23 school year, according to CDC data. And the rate of vaccine exemptions for children has reached the highest level ever recorded in the United States.

CNN’s Nadia Kounang, Steve Almasy and Mira Cheng contributed to this report.