Possible Measles Exposure Reported At North County Locations

SAN DIEGO, CA — County public health officials have confirmed the second case of measles this year in San Diego County, and people may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus at several places in Carlsbad and Encinitas.

A 47-year-old resident who had recently traveled overseas was hospitalized with measles, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported Sunday.

Public health officials warned residents that they may have been exposed to the virus at a number of places in Carlsbad and Encinitas, including Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witness, Leo Mullen Sports Park, Naked Café, Ralphs, Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas, Scripps Encinitas Hospital Emergency Department, Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen, and Trader Joe's.

The case marks the second this year in the county. This year's first case of measles was confirmed in a 1-year-old who had also traveled overseas. The cases are not linked, according to the county.

"Measles is a very contagious disease that can be spread easily by coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room with an infected person," said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, county deputy public health officer.

Measles develops seven to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The distinctive red rash usually appears one to four days after early symptoms appear. A person is considered contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears. The rash typically begins on the face and head, then proceeds downward and outward to the hands and feet. It fades in the same order it began, from head to feet.

People with symptoms were asked to call their doctor's office in advance, rather than visit an office directly, so that infection control measures may be activated to prevent exposure to others.

"The best way to prevent measles is by getting the measles vaccine," Kadakia said.

"With measles outbreaks occurring in several countries, it is very important that all international travelers get vaccinated. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age who travel should get one dose, and travelers over 12 months of age should get two doses at least four weeks apart."

Complications from measles are more common in children younger include diarrhea, ear infection and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications and the risk is higher among younger children and adults, according to the county.

Here's a list of the dates and locations where the exposure may have occurred:

March 22

Naked Café

• 288 N El Camino Real, Suite C, Encinitas
• 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ralph's

• 125 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas
• 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

March 23

Leo Mullen Sports Park

• 951 Via Cantebria, Encinitas
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

March 24

Trader Joe's

• 115 N El Camino Real, Encinitas
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witness

• 1821 S Camino Real, Encinitas
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

March 25

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen

• 6985 El Camino Real, Suite 108, Carlsbad
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ralphs

• 125 N El Camino Real, Encinitas
• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

March 28

Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas

• 477 N El Camino Real, Encinitas
• 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

March 29-30

Scripps Encinitas Hospital Emergency Department

• 354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas
• 4:10 p.m. on March 29 to 1:30 a.m. on March 30