KDHE issues measles exposure alert for Hutchinson

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Reno County Health Department confirmed a positive measles case in a county resident.

In a press release, the KDHE states the alert lists only one potential exposure location, date and approximate timeframe, the Hutchinson Public Library on Saturday, May 3, from 2-5 p.m.

The press release said, “The measles virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Because the measles virus is highly contagious, anyone who visited the Hutchinson Public Library at the date and times listed above may have been exposed to measles and should take the following steps:

1. Understand if you are susceptible to infection. Check if you’ve received a measles-containing vaccine, like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, have medical documentation of past measles infection, or have laboratory evidence of immunity. People who are not vaccinated and have not previously had measles are especially vulnerable to becoming infected.    
2. Watch for symptoms. Monitor yourself for 21 days after your exposure. Look out for any symptoms—especially a fever and a new or unexplained skin rash—and contact your healthcare provider or local health department if symptoms develop.  
3. If you were at the Hutchinson Public Library on May 3, you should watch for symptoms of measles until the end of Saturday, May 24.  
4. Avoid high-risk settings. If you are not immune, consider staying home to prevent the spread of measles. If you cannot remain home, stay away from large gatherings and people that might be susceptible to measles, including those who are unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants, or people who are immunocompromised. If you need medical care, call your provider ahead of time and let them know you may have been exposed to measles so they can take any necessary steps to protect others from potential measles exposure.  
5. Talk to a healthcare provider. If you have any questions about your health or your immunity status, contact your healthcare provider. If you are not immune to measles, a healthcare provider can determine whether you need treatment to help prevent or lessen the severity of infection.”

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through coughing, sneezing or talking. Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A skin rash develops three to five days after the initial symptoms appear.

The best prevention is the MMR vaccine.

For more information, visit www.kdhe.ks.gov/measles, contact the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at (877) 427-7317 (option 5) or email KDHE.epihotline@ks.gov.