DHMH PRESS RELEASE - Maryland Health Officials Investigating Possible Exposures to Measles

Baltimore, MD June 8, 2011 -The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and local health departments are notifying the community about a person with measles who may have exposed others in Maryland while infectious. People who were at the following locations at the listed times should be aware that they might have been exposed to measles:

- Tuesday, May 31:
Giant grocery store, 6223 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228 between 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Montgomery Plaza Liquors, 6225 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228 between 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM

- Wednesday, June 1:
Catonsville High School Graduation, UMBC RAC Center between 6:00 PM & 11:00 PM

- Thursday, June 2:
Applebee's Restaurant, 8999 Ocean Gateway Drive, Easton, MD 21601 between 6:30 PM & 11:00 PM

- Friday, June 3:
Oriole Park at Camden Yards beginning at 7:00 PM
MTA Light Rail from 11:00 PM until 1:30 AM Saturday, June 4

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. It is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person.

Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 F degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body. The risk of a major measles outbreak in Maryland is low because of the State's high vaccination rate.

"People who may have been exposed should be vigilant for the signs and symptoms of measles," said Frances Phillips, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services. "Quick identification and medical attention for new cases can help reduce the spread."

What you should do if you might have been exposed:

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles. If you were actually infected with measles, you could develop symptoms from 7 to 21 days of exposure, that is, from June 7 through June 24, 2011.

If you develop the signs and symptoms of measles, specifically fever, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough, please stay at home and do not expose others. If you subsequently develop a rash (usually within a few days after any symptoms first appear) or you develop any severe symptoms, please call your primary health care provider immediately to discuss further care. It is very important that you call prior to going to any medical office so that you do not expose others.

The risk of transmission in large outdoor settings, such as Camden Yards, is very low. Out of an abundance of caution, infants, unvaccinated pregnant women, and unvaccinated persons with weakened immune systems who might have been exposed to measles on Friday, June 3 should contact their health care provider. A medicine called Immune Globulin, which may prevent measles if given within 6 days of exposure, may be recommended.

Measles can be prevented by vaccination with the safe and effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR are recommended for most individuals with the first dose given at age 12-15 months and the second prior to kindergarten entry (age 4-6 years).

Over the last year, measles cases have become more common in the United States. Recent cases have been reported in Virginia and New York. Last week, Maryland sent an advisory to clinicians reminding them to be vigilant for measles. This case was identified rapidly, thanks to quick action by the individual, the local health department and the State Lab. DHMH is notifying Maryland health care providers of this case.

Maryland last had confirmed measles cases in 2009. There were no confirmed cases indentified in Maryland in 2010 or previously in 2011.

For more on measles, go to http://ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov/pdf/Measles.pdf or to http://www.cdc.gov/measles/.