The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, along with Mesa County Public Health, has confirmed a measles case in an adult resident of Mesa County. The individual had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and has no known link to other recent cases or travel outside Colorado. Officials believe this may indicate community transmission in the Grand Junction area.
Mesa County Public Health is currently investigating the case. Measles is described as highly contagious but preventable through vaccination. Health officials recommend vaccination as the best way to protect individuals and communities.
Symptoms of measles typically start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A rash usually appears several days later on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. Unvaccinated people who have been exposed can still receive the MMR vaccine within 72 hours to help prevent illness. In some situations, immunoglobulin treatment within six days may also reduce severity or prevent disease.
Health authorities have identified several locations where potential exposures may have occurred:
– Landmark Baptist Church and School at 1600 Ute Ave., Grand Junction: Thursday, Aug. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
– Chick-fil-A at 522 Bogart Lane (dine-in and drive thru), Grand Junction: Friday, Aug. 8 from 3 p.m. to midnight.
– Burger King at 1730 N Ave., Grand Junction (dine-in only): Saturday, Aug. 9 from 1–4 p.m.
– Community Hospital Emergency Department at 2351 G Road, Grand Junction: Monday, Aug. 11 through Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 7 p.m.–12:45 a.m., and Thursday, Aug. 14 from 5:18–7:33 p.m.
Anyone present at these locations during those times should monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks after exposure dates listed by health officials for each site.
“If you were there, watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure,” according to health authorities in their statement about monitoring for signs of illness among those potentially exposed.
“If symptoms develop, call your health care provider, urgent care, or emergency department before going in, and tell them you may have been exposed to measles,” they advised further.
Monitoring is especially important for anyone who has not received the MMR vaccine.
Further information about symptoms and prevention measures can be found on the CDPHE measles webpage which includes details on current cases and updated lists of possible exposure sites.
