PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Around 300 people may have been exposed to measles in El Dorado County this week, according to a county news release sent Friday.
It says a child with a confirmed case of measles was seen at the UC Davis Emergency Department on March 5 after being evaluated at San Joaquin Urgent Care.
It’s estimated around 300 people may have been exposed.
The county is now asking for anyone who was at the UC Davis Emergency Department between 12-5 p.m. on March 5 to contact El Dorado County’s Public Health line.
- Placerville (530) 621-6320
- South Lake Tahoe (530) 573-3154
County Public Health Officer Dr. Matthew Minson says they’ll be reviewing a list of people confirmed to be there at the time and will be contacting them for further instruction. He says not to go to directly to the Emergency Department as it could increase spread.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that’s often serious for small children but can be prevented by vaccination.
The CDC says it’s so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to them who aren’t immune will become infected. It’s spread by breathing contaminated air or touching an infected surface.
Symptoms appear 1-2 weeks after contact and include fever, cough and runny nose. A rash appears 3-5 days after primary symptoms.
The CDC says about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people require hospitalization.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Moderna and Merck's Melanoma vaccine moves on to third trial phase
