This information was released by Denver Public Health on January 16:

A Denver adult has been identified as having been contagious with measles from January 9 – 14, 2019, after having travelled internationally. Denver Public Health, the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are working to notify people who may have been exposed to measles from this person.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. It can be very dangerous for infants who are too young to be vaccinated, people with weakened immune systems, and those who have not been immunized.

People visiting the following locations during the following times may have been exposed to measles:

• Blue Creek Therapeutic Health Spa

7488 East 29th Ave., Denver, CO, 80238

Thursday, 01/10/19 between the hours of 10 am and 1:30 pm

• King Soopers (Stapleton)

2810 Quebec St., Denver, CO, 80207

Thursday, 01/10/2019 between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm

• Care Now Urgent Care

3001 N. Havana St., Denver, CO 80238

Friday, 01/12/19 between the hours of 8:30 am and 12:30 pm

• Saint Joseph Hospital Emergency Department

1375 East 19th Ave., Denver, CO, 80218

Sunday, 01/13/2019 between the hours of noon and 9 pm

• Saint Joseph Hospital, 5th Floor, West Wing

1375 East 19th Ave., Denver, CO, 80218

From Sunday, 01/13/2019 starting at 8:30 pm to Monday, 01/14/2019 at 3:30 pm

If you believe you have been exposed

If you or anyone you know was in these locations on the dates and times listed, please be alert for measles symptoms, detailed below, and call your healthcare provider to ask if you are up-to-date on measles vaccinations. You are at lower risk of getting measles if you were born before 1957, have had measles disease, or have had one or more measles shots (measles is included in the MMR vaccine). People who were not in the locations listed above, during those specified times are not at risk at this time.

Denver Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are attempting to contact people directly exposed to the individual.

If you may have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms, immediately notify your healthcare provider BY TELEPHONE explaining a possible measles exposure and symptoms. This will allow your provider to evaluate you without placing others at risk. If you do not have health care provider, please call an urgent care center or emergency department. For additional information, please call CO-HELP or 303-389-1687 (toll free: 1-877-462-2911).

“It’s important that anyone who was at these locations and is experiencing possible symptoms of measles receives guidance on medical evaluation and treatment immediately,” said Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver Public

Health & Environment and the public health administrator for the City of Denver. “Calling a medical provider first, before physically showing up, is absolutely critical to minimize the possible exposure of other individuals.”

People with measles symptoms should not go to child care facilities, school, work or out in public, since they may spread the disease to others.

“Measles can spread before we even know it is here,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state communicable disease epidemiologist, “and it can find its way quickly into pockets of unvaccinated people. Vaccination is the only effective preventive measure against measles.”

Measles symptoms

Measles symptoms typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, but may take up to 21 days to appear. They include:

• Fever, runny nose, red eyes that are sensitive to light and coughing.

• Two to four days after the first symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

A person with measles is contagious for four days before and four days after the rash appears.

Vaccine recommendations

Denver Public Health urges people to review their and their children’s vaccination records against the recommended vaccine schedules to ensure they are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Childhood and adult vaccines are covered by most insurance. For no- or low-cost vaccines, people can visit the Denver Public Health immunization clinic.

Additional facts about measles are available on the Denver Public Health website. People with additional questions should call their primary care provider or 303-389-1687 (toll free: 1-877-462-2911).

About Denver Public Health

Denver Public Health provides a wide range of services that evaluate, promote and protect the health and well-being of the residents of Denver and beyond. Denver Public Health monitors the health of Denver and responds to disease outbreaks and other emergencies, as well as works with many partners to prevent health problems by decreasing injury, preventing tobacco-related illnesses and promoting health eating and active living. Clinical services include: STD screening and treatment, family planning, immunizations, tuberculosis screening and care, birth and death records, and HIV/AIDS care.

About Denver Public Health & Environment

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), Denver’s nationally-accredited public health agency, empowers Denver’s communities to live better, longer. The divisions of DDPHE are: Animal Protection, Community & Behavioral Health, Environmental Quality, Office of Sustainability, Office of the Medical Examiner and Public Health Inspections. In partnership with Denver Public Health, DDPHE provides quality public health services to the City and County of Denver. For more information about DDPHE, visit denvergov.org/dphe or follow us @DDPHE.