Maine child tests positive for measles

Portland Press Herald, Maine
·2 min read
5

May 5—The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday a Maine child has tested positive for measles.

The agency said it is waiting for confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has notified several facilities where exposure may have occurred and is working with those facilities to inform potentially exposed individuals.

No further information was provided about the child or the child's condition.

The child tested positive despite having received a dose of measles vaccine, the CDC said. It is not possible to contract measles from the vaccine. Maine CDC is considering the child to be infectious out of an abundance of caution.

Individuals who were at the following locations during the times listed below were potentially exposed to measles and are being advised by the CDC to take precautions:

— Family Time Dine and Play at Auburn Mall in Auburn, April 29, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

— Clear Choice MD in Scarborough (273 Payne Road), May 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

— Hannaford on Cottage Road in South Portland (Mill Creek Hannaford), May 1, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

— Mercy Fore River Emergency Department, May 2, 7:45 p.m. to midnight

— Mercy Fore River Emergency Department, May 3, Midnight to 3:30 a.m.

Anyone at these locations during these times should watch for symptoms for 21 days after their exposure, according to the CDC. People who develop symptoms should call a health care provider for instructions before going to the office or hospital to help prevent further spread of infection. There are no asymptomatic cases of measles.

Most people are vaccinated for measles as a child, but people who are or may be unvaccinated should speak with a health care provider, the CDC said.

From Jan. 1 through April 28, there were 10 cases of measles confirmed in eight states, according to the U.S. CDC.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms and a rash that spreads from the head down. It can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death.

The virus is spread through coughs or sneezes and infected person can spread the disease four days before a rash appears until four afterward. The virus can survive for two hours on surfaces and in the air.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best prevention for measles, the CDC says.

This story will be updated.