Measles Virus Confirmed In Santa Monica: See Trail Of Exposure

SANTA MONICA, CA – A tourist with measles visited sites around Santa Monica earlier this month, and public officials are warning the public – especially those who may have been in those areas and have not been vaccinated against measles.

The tourist went to six locations in Santa Monica from Aug. 8-10: the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel restaurant, Urth Caffé, Chez Jay restaurant, Sea Blue Hotel, Ivy at the Shore and Cora's Coffee Shoppe, according to a Los Angeles County Public Health press release.

• Aug. 8-10: Sea Blue Hotel
• Aug. 8: Urth Café from 4-6p.m.; Chez Jay Restaurant from 8-11 p.m.
• Aug. 9: Cora’s Coffee Shoppe from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Ivy at the Shore restaurant from 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Aug. 10: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel restaurant from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There's no risk to anyone visiting these locations now – the possible period of exposure was more than a week ago, the press release said.

“However, individuals who were present at these locations during these times, especially those with weakened immune systems or persons who may not have been vaccinated against measles may be at risk of developing measles and should watch for symptoms of the illness,” according to the press release.

Measles, a highly contagious virus, can spread by coughing or sneezing, the press release said. The virus could lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death, ABC7 reported.

California is among 21 states impacted by a nationwide measles outbreak this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationwide, at least 107 cases have been identified, which were all linked to international travel, according to the CDC. The DOH is currently not investigating any new cases.

The majority of people who got measles were unvaccinated, according to the CDC. The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected.

Measles typically begins with:

• High fever,
• Cough,
• Runny nose (coryza), and
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).

Related: Measles Outbreak In 21 States, Including California: CDC

Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots, according to the CDC.

The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104 degrees.

Patch staffer Autumn Johnson contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock