Contra Costa Health has confirmed a measles case in a person who was contagious while out in public between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, visiting several popular stores and a local emergency department. Health officials say people who were in those spots at the listed times could be at risk, especially if they are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised. The county has launched contact tracing and is alerting local providers to watch for new cases.
Where exposure may have happened
County officials listed several specific locations and dates tied to the contagious period: Anthropologie on South Main Street on Dec. 17 or Dec. 19; Macy’s, ALO, and the Apple Store at Broadway Plaza on Dec. 18; STAT Med in Lafayette last Sunday; and the Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek emergency department last Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Contra Costa Health. Anyone who was in these locations on those dates is urged to check their vaccination records and keep an eye out for symptoms.
What to watch for and when
Measles does not always show up right away. Symptoms typically start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads, and they can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure, according to the CDC. The agency also reports that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, which is why officials say fully vaccinated people face a much lower risk.
What officials are doing
To limit any potential spread, Contra Costa Health says it is carrying out contact tracing and notifying healthcare providers so clinics and hospitals can take precautions and quickly isolate suspected cases, according to Contra Costa Health. The agency is also urging eligible residents who remain unvaccinated to get the MMR shot. Local television crews have also been following the story, with KRON4 sharing more details from the affected locations.
Regional and national context
The Walnut Creek case lands in the middle of a broader national bump in measles activity. The CDC reported about 2,012 confirmed measles cases in the United States as of last Tuesday. As the San Francisco Chronicle has noted, California has so far recorded relatively few cases but remains on alert, since outbreaks in other regions have already strained public health systems.
What to do if you were exposed
People who visited any of the listed sites during the exposure windows and who are unvaccinated, pregnant or immunocompromised should call their healthcare provider before showing up in person, so staff can prepare and reduce the risk of further spread, KTVU reported. Officials add that if someone makes it more than 21 days past the potential exposure window without developing symptoms, they are no longer considered at risk from this incident.
