Possible Measles Exposure In St. Louis: Health Officials

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is warning of possible measles exposure in St. Louis suburbs. The potential exposures were on March 13 and 14.

Health officials said that on March 13, exposures were likely at the Magic House in Kirkwood, Racanelli's New York Pizzeria in Kirwood and Homewood Suites in Chesterfield. The possible March 14 exposure was at the Homewood Suites in Chesterfield.

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral illness which is transmitted through an infected person coughing or sneezing. Those infected will develop a rash, which "usually looks like flat red spots that break out first on the face and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet," the DHSS website says.

Officials say that those infected are considered contagious from four days before they develop the rash to four days after the rash is gone.

"The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area such as a waiting room," DHSS said.

Measles is preventable by vaccine. Check with your health provider to ensure you are vaccinated. If you are showing symptoms, call your provider first so they can take steps to prevent the virus from spreading.

The symptoms of measles generally include a rash that appears 7-21 days after exposure. Measles typically begins with:

• A high fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Health officials are still investigating the exposures.

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