Measles patient visited several Massachusetts cities

BOSTON — There is a confirmed case of measles in Massachusetts, the first this year, said Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Public Health Commission.

The Department of Health said that the person recently visited Massachusetts from Europe, and the individual has an unknown vaccination history.

There were potential exposures in the greater Boston area from May 1 to May 8. Measles virus can remain in the air for two hours, and the following list reflects that.

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• TRANSPORTATION: MBTA #1 Bus – Newbury St., Boston to Harvard Square
• Harvard Square:   Shopped at J August, 1320 Massachusetts Ave.

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Cambridgeside Galleria
• Ate at Panda Express in the food court
• Shopped at Victoria's Secret, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, PacSun
• Starbucks
• TRANSPORTATION: Back to Boston via MBTA (Green line)

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• Wrentham Village Outlet
• Ate at Unos Chicago Grill (at Wrentham)
• Shopped at Nike, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, and others

11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Rockport Village, Rockport, MA
• The Pewter Shop
• Sea Star Gift Shop
• Brothers' Brew Coffee Shop

Wednesday Afternoon (Approximately 1:30 – 4:30 PM)

• Star Market at the Prudential (53 Huntington Ave. Boston, Massachusetts 02199)
• Nespresso Boutique Bar (7 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116)

• Patients and visitors known to have potentially been exposed will be notified by the hospital or the health department.

Early symptoms of measles develop 10 days to two weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually resemble a cold with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the first symptoms. The rash typically lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order.

Those potentially exposed should call their healthcare providers or the health department with questions or concerns.  Boston residents and exposed individuals who work or attend school in Boston should call BPHC at 617-534-5611. Those outside Boston should contact MDPH at 617-983-6800 or their local health department.

People who have had measles in the past or who have been vaccinated against measles per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations are considered immune.

Cox Media Group