Two Measles Cases Diagnosed in San Diego
Date: January 6, 2015
Two San Diego residents were confirmed today to have measles after visiting Disneyland on December 18, 2014. The unimmunized siblings are among seven confirmed measles cases in California associated with visits to Disneyland on December 17 and 20, 2014. Because the incubation period for measles is up to 21 days, individuals who were exposed at the park may continue to present for care with symptoms that begin before January 12. An index case at Disneyland has not been identified.
In addition, the ill San Diego residents may have exposed others at Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon on December 29, 2014. Shoppers and mall staff may have been exposed to the virus if they were present at Parkway Plaza Mall on this date between 10am and 2pm, especially in or around GameStop, Sunglasses Hut, and the carousel in the mall.
These are the first cases of measles diagnosed in San Diego since March 2014 when there were four confirmed cases associated with a traveler to the Philippines.
Providers are reminded to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles. These include fever, dry cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), sensitivity to light, and Koplik’s spots (tiny red spots with bluish-white centers inside mouth on the lining of the cheek), and an erythematous maculopapular rash (large, flat blotches that often flow into one another). Click here for more information on measles from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To the extent possible, providers should encourage exposed individuals with symptoms suggestive of measles to contact them by phone prior to evaluation to make arrangements for appropriate infection control precautions. Click here for California Department of Public Health guidance on healthcare facility infection control recommendations for suspect measles patients.
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 (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.