HEALTH ALERT: Officials warn of measles exposure in Colorado

Health officials in Denver are alerting the public of a measles exposure in the state.

Denver Public Health put out the alert on Wednesday stating an adult had measles and was in Colorado between Jan. 9 and Jan. 14. Officials believe the person was traveling internationally when they were exposed to measles.

Health officials would not confirm if the person had been vaccinated.

Measles is highly contagious and can be very dangerous for infants, people with weakened immune systems, and those who have not been vaccinated. It's spread through those common winter companions, sneezing and coughing.

The below information is provided by Denver Public Health

People who visited the following locations during the following times may have been exposed to measles: Blue Creek Therapeutic Health Spa 7488 East 29th Ave., Denver, CO, 80238 Thursday, 01/10/19 between the hours of 10 am and 1:30 pm King Soopers (Stapleton) 2810 Quebec St., Denver, CO, 80207 Thursday, 01/10/2019 between the hours of 10 am and 2 p.m. Care Now Urgent Care 3001 N. Havana St., Denver, CO 80238 Saturday, 01/12/19 between the hours of 8:30 am and 12:30 pm Saint Joseph Hospital Emergency Department 1375 East 19th Ave., Denver, CO, 80218 Sunday, 01/13/2019 between the hours of noon and 9 pm Saint Joseph Hospital, 5th Floor, West Wing 1375 East 19th Ave., Denver, CO, 80218 From Sunday, 01/13/2019 starting at 8:30 pm to Monday, 01/14/2019 at 3:30 p.m If you believe you have been exposed If you or anyone you know was in these locations on the dates and times listed, please be alert for measles symptoms, detailed below, and call your healthcare provider to ask if you are up-to-date on measles vaccinations. You are at lower risk of getting measles if you were born before 1957, have had measles disease, or have had one or more measles shots (measles is included in the MMR vaccine). People who were not in the locations listed above, during those specified times are not at risk at this time. Denver Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are attempting to contact people directly exposed to the individual. If you may have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms, immediately notify your healthcare provider BY TELEPHONE explaining a possible measles exposure and symptoms. This will allow your provider to evaluate you without placing others at risk. If you do not have health care provider, please call an urgent care center or emergency department. For additional information, please call CO-HELP or 303-389-1687 (toll free: 1-877-462-2911). “It’s important that anyone who was at these locations and is experiencing possible symptoms of measles receives guidance on medical evaluation and treatment immediately,” said Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver Public Health & Environment and the public health administrator for the City of Denver. “Calling a medical provider first, before physically showing up, is absolutely critical to minimize the possible exposure of other individuals.” People with measles symptoms should not go to child care facilities, school, work or out in public, since they may spread the disease to others. “Measles can spread before we even know it is here,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state communicable disease epidemiologist, “and it can find its way quickly into pockets of unvaccinated people. Vaccination is the only effective preventive measure against measles.” Vaccine recommendations Denver Public Health urges people to review their and their children’s vaccination records against the recommended vaccine schedules to ensure they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Childhood and adult vaccines are covered by most insurance. For no- or low-cost vaccines, people can visit the Denver Public Health immunization clinic. Additional facts about measles are available on the Denver Public Health website. People with additional questions should call their primary care provider or 303-389-1687 (toll free: 1-877-462-2911).