San Diego, California – San Diego County public health officials confirmed Friday the region’s first measles case of the year, involving an unvaccinated teenager who recently returned from international travel. The case has prompted an urgent effort to track potential exposures at two local medical facilities.
According to the county, the teen may have exposed others while visiting Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines Urgent Care in La Jolla from 8:53 p.m. on Aug. 6 to 12:26 a.m. on Aug. 7, and Rady Children’s Emergency Department from 11:01 p.m. on Aug. 6 to 5:21 a.m. on Aug. 7. Epidemiologists are working with both facilities to identify patients and staff who may have been in contact with the individual and to verify vaccination records.
“Measles is a very contagious disease that can be spread easily by coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room with an infected person,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, the county’s deputy public health officer. She urged anyone who was at the specified locations during those times to monitor for symptoms and contact their health care provider if they develop signs of illness…