UPDATE: Colorado Springs measles case linked to Disneyland outbreak
El Paso County Public Health says a person who was treated for measles at Penrose Hospital may have exposed 300 others to the virus.
It’s believed the patient contracted the virus at Disneyland last month. Several other measles cases in other states have been linked to people who traveled to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park in mid-December.
The health department says the patient was released from the hospital after making a full recovery and is no longer contagious, but that others may have been exposed to measles before the patient was diagnosed.
Exposure may have occurred at Penrose Main Hospital, 2222 N. Nevada Ave., on January 3, 2015.
Visitors and patients who were in the emergency room and CAT scan suite between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on that date, or who were on the fourth floor from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on that date, may have been exposed.
Of the more than 250 people contacted as of January 13, 2015, El Paso County Public Health has identified a small number of individuals with high exposure and who do not have proof of immunity. As a precaution, Public Health has arranged for these individuals to remain at home for a quarantine period of 21 days after their last exposure to the patient. All individuals are cooperating and have agreed to stay home and be monitored.
“While most people are protected against measles, unvaccinated patients and visitors who were at Penrose Hospital may be at risk for developing measles. These people should contact their health care provider if they experience a rash and fever,” said Dr. Bill Letson, El Paso County Public Health Medical Director.
Penrose Hospital is notifying potentially exposed patients. Penrose Hospital and El Paso County Public Health are contacting people directly exposed to the individual but the measles virus is highly contagious and other exposures may exist. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is also notifying health care providers in Colorado.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a rash that usually begins on the face 2 – 4 days after the onset of other symptoms and typically spreads downward to the rest of the body. Complications of measles include pneumonia and encephalitis . In unvaccinated pregnant women, measles can also cause miscarriage or premature birth. There is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.
The incubation period for measles ranges from 7 – 21 days. People who were exposed to this person could be at risk for measles as late as January 24 . Measles virus is spread when a person sneezes or coughs and sprays droplets in the air or on surfaces. Anyone who suspects they may have measles is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency room. Special arrangements can be made for you to be evaluated while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
“We urge everyone to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Two doses of measles vaccine is more than 99 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Bill Letson, El Paso County Public Health’s Medical Director.
This is the first time that Measles has been reported in El Paso County since 1992.
