Measles Case Confirmed in San Diego
Click Here to Download This February 14 CAHAN Health Alert in PDF Along With a Health Advisory Published on FEbruary 19
California Health Alert Network
Date: February 21, 2014
Measles Case Confirmed in San Diego
A San Diego resident was confirmed today to have measles after returning from a recent trip to the Philippines. This is the first case diagnosed in San Diego since July 2013. There is an ongoing measles outbreak in the Philippines where over 1,700 cases and 21 deaths were noted in 2013.
The individual may have exposed others at Branch Health Clinic Miramar on Feb. 14 and 18 and at Naval Medical Center San Diego on Feb. 17. Patients, visitors, and hospital staff may have been exposed to the virus if they were present at the Branch Health Clinic Miramar on Feb. 14 between 10am and 1pm or Feb. 18 between 1pm and 4pm or the hospital emergency department or waiting room on Feb. 17 between 12pm and 7pm.
HHSA and Navy public health officials are contacting individuals who were registered patients at both locations during the exposure periods to determine if they are at risk for developing measles. People who have not been vaccinated, or who have not had measles, may contact their providers for evaluation and preventive treatment if appropriate. Guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on measles post-exposure prophylaxis may be found here.
Exposed individuals with symptoms suggestive of measles have been asked to contact their providers by phone to make arrangements for an evaluation under appropriate infection control precautions. CDPH guidance on healthcare facility infection control recommendations for suspect measles patients may be found here.
CDPH Measles Health Advisory
CDPH issued a news release today noting that there have been 15 confirmed measles cases in the state this year. This report does not include the new case in San Diego. A CDPH health advisory on measles was also issued this week urging providers to promote MMR immunization to travelers and to strongly consider measles in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever and rash.
If measles is suspected in a patient, immediately notify the County Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch at (866) 358-2966, Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm and at (619) 692-8499 after hours and on weekends. This will facilitate time-sensitive public health actions and assistance with clinical decision-making and diagnostic testing can be provided.
Thank you for your continued participation.
CAHAN San Diego
County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency
Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch
Phone: (619) 692-8499, Fax: (858) 715-6458
Urgent Phone for PM / Weekends / Holidays: (858) 565-5255
Email: cahan@sdcounty.ca.gov
Secure Website: http://cahan.ca.gov
Public-Access Website: http://www.cahansandiego.com
CAHAN San Diego Alerts are intended for the use of public health, medical and laboratory professionals in San Diego County. This alert has been approved for reproduction and distribution to interested professionals. An online CAHAN San Diego application is available at http://www.cahansandiego.com for appropriate and interested individuals.