East County hospital reports measles case

County public health offi­cials have confirmed the fourth case of measles this year in a 13-month-old resident who had recently traveled overseas.

The County previously con­firmed three cases in the region this year. None of the cases are linked, but all are associated with international travel. Be­fore 2024, the last confirmed measles case in the County was in 2019.

The unimmunized infant may have exposed others at the fol­lowing times and locations:

Rady Grossmont Pediatric Unit located at 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, on Au­gust 20, from 12 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Rady Children’s Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit 4 East located at 3020 Chil­dren’s Way, San Diego, on Au­gust 25, from 2:15 p.m. to Au­gust 26 at 9 p.m.

County staff from the Epi­demiology and Immunization Services Branch are working with Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Rady Children’s Hospital to identify and contact patients and staff to determine if those possibly exposed at these lo­cations have been vaccinated. They will also evaluate their po­tential for developing measles.

People with symptoms are asked to call their doctor’s office in advance, rather than visit an office directly, so that infection control measures may be taken to prevent exposure to others.

Measles develops seven to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A distinctive red rash usually appears one to four days after early symptoms start.

A person is considered conta­gious four days before and four days after the rash appears. The rash typically begins on the face and head, then proceeds down­ward and outward to the hands and feet. It fades in the same or­der it began, from head to feet.

Complications from measles are more common in children younger than 5 years old and adults 20 years and older. Com­plications can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications and the risk is higher among younger children and adults. There is no treat­ment for measles. Bed rest, flu­ids, and fever control are recom­mended. People with complica­tions may need treatment for their specific problems.

For more information about measles, other vaccine-prevent­able diseases and the shots that protect against them, visit the County’s Immunization Branch online or by phone at (866) 358- 2966.

Reprinted courtesy San Diego Of­fice of Communications.