Measles Exposure: Contagious Disease Confirmed In 13-Month Old In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — A 13-month-old toddler who had recently traveled overseas was confirmed Wednesday as the fourth case of measles this year in San Diego County.

County health officials said the child, who was not immunized, may have exposed others from midnight to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Rady Grossmont Pediatric Unit at 5555 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa, as well as between 2:15 and 9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Rady Children's Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit 4 East at 3020 Children's Way in San Diego.

Officials from both hospitals were working with the county to contact patients and staff who may have been exposed to the contagious disease.

"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. Seema Shah, the county interim deputy public health officer.

Measles develops seven to 21 days after exposure, according to the county. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A red rash usually appears one to four days after early symptoms start. The rash usually starts on the face and head and moves down to the hands and feet.

Complications from measles are more common in children younger than 5 years old and adults 20 years and older, according to the county. Complications can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Severe complications can be deadly.

Health officials advised anyone who develops symptoms to call their doctor's office first so that infection control measures may be taken to prevent exposure to others.

Prior to this year, the last confirmed measles case in the county was in 2019. None of the four cases confirmed this year are linked, but all are associated with international travel, according to the county.