An Adams County child is in the hospital with measles, and Colorado public health officials said people who visited the emergency room at about the same time could have gotten the highly contagious virus.
The child visited the Children’s Hospital Colorado emergency department in Aurora on Tuesday evening, and the virus could have infected people who passed through between 6:36 p.m. and 10:16 p.m., officials said.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses to infect humans, and can linger in the air up to two hours.
The child, who is under 5 and unvaccinated, traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico, which has an ongoing measles outbreak. So far this year, 17 Coloradans have tested positive for measles and five needed hospital care.
Anyone who visited the Children’s Hospital Colorado emergency room during the exposure window should watch for symptoms, including fever, cough, a runny nose, red eyes and a rash that typically starts on the face. The rash usually appears about four days after someone becomes contagious. Symptoms could develop through Sept. 2.
Unvaccinated people who were exposed can lessen their odds of getting sick if they get the vaccine within 72 hours of encountering the virus, though it isn’t as effective as getting the shot in advance. Two doses, with the last given at least two weeks before exposure, are about 97% effective in preventing measles.
If you develop symptoms after a measles exposure, call ahead before seeking health care, so the provider can take precautions to avoid further spread, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.
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