2 Measles Cases Confirmed In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County public health officials have confirmed two unrelated cases of measles, including one that resulted in potential public exposure at a San Diego hotel and an Imperial Beach ice cream shop.

Both infected individuals travel to San Diego for work, according to county health officials. One of the cases did not result in any public exposure.

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Officials said the infectious person in the exposure case, who did not have proof of measles vaccination, was at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on May 17, and at Baskin-Robbins, 791 Palm Ave., Suite 103, in Imperial Beach from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on May 20.

County immunization staff are working with the hotel to identify and notify potentially exposed employees, while guests who were on site during the exposure period are also being contacted.

"Measles spreads very easily, even through the air, so anyone who was at these locations during the listed times should watch for symptoms and contact their health care provider if they start to feel sick," said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, the county's public health officer.

Health officials urged anyone who develops symptoms to call a health care provider before seeking treatment so infection-control measures can be put in place.

Measles symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash one to four days later. People with measles can spread the virus from four days before a rash develops until four days after it appears.

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles, officials said.

Officials urged residents to make sure they are fully vaccinated against measles, particularly before traveling. Infants ages 6 to 12 months should receive one dose of the vaccine before travel, while anyone older than 12 months should have two doses administered at least four weeks apart.

County health officials previously reported a measles case involving an out-of-state visitor in March. With the latest two infections, California has recorded 49 confirmed measles cases this year, according to the California Department of Public Health.