Possible Measles Exposure In Lexington

LEXINGTON, MA – Health officials are warning about a possible measles exposure at three sites in Lexington. A case of measles was confirmed at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Thursday, and the Department of Public Health says the patient was in a number of places during the infectious period that could have resulted in exposures to other people.

Measles is very contagious and people who are not immune may be at risk if they visited the following locations on the dates listed:

1. Lexington High School Library; 251 Waltham St., Lexington

Aug. 16, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

2. Irving H. Mabee Town Pool Complex; 80 Worthen Rd., Lexington

Aug. 19, 12-2 p.m.

3. Lahey Outpatient Center, Lexington; 16 Hayden Ave., Lexington

Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Possible exposures may have also occurred at Logan Airport on Aug. 15 and the LHMC in Burlington on Aug. 20 and 21, according to the DPH. Click here for more information.

The DPH urges people who are unsure about their measles immunization status to get vaccinated with at least one dose of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine may prevent the disease if given within 72 hours of exposure, the DPH says.

Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to 2 weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold (with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes) and a rash occurs on the skin 2-4 days after the initial symptoms develop. The rash usually appears first on the head and then moves downward. The rash typically lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order.

People with measles may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.

Lahey Hospital has been reaching out to individuals at high risk of exposure.

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