San Diego County confirms second case of measles so far in 2024

Anna Ashcraft
·4 min read
2

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego County health officials are reporting the second case of measles so far this year in a resident who traveled overseas, and are issuing a warning that exposure could have happened at several locations over the past few weeks.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency announced Sunday a 47-year-old San Diego County resident who recently traveled overseas has contracted the measles and is currently hospitalized.

Unvaccinated infant contracts measles, county confirms

Previously, the first case of 2024 was reported in February in an unvaccinated infant who had also traveled overseas. The agency says these cases are not linked.

There is no treatment for measles. Doctors recommend bed rest, fluids, and fever control to help with the symptoms.

Earlier in March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory in response to a rise in measles cases in the U.S. and abroad.

CDC issues health alert as 2024 measles cases match last year’s total

San Diego County has put out an alert that people may have been exposed at several locations in Encinitas and Carlsbad between March 22-30.

County Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch Immunization Unit staff members say they are working with Scripps Encinitas Hospital and Scripps Coastal Medical Center to identify and follow up with patients and staff.

4 things you should know about measles amid an uptick in cases

County Public Health Services is also working with multiple places, and potentially others, to identify and follow up with staff who may have been exposed:

March 22, 2024

Naked Café

  • 288 N El Camino Real, Suite C

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ralph’s Market

  • 125 N. El Camino Real

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

March 23, 2024

Leo Mullen Sports Park

  • 951 Via Cantebria

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

March 24, 2024

Trader Joe’s

  • 115 N El Camino Real

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness

  • 1821 S Camino Real

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

March 25, 2024

Tinleaf Fresh Kitchen

  • 6985 El Camino Real #108

  • Carlsbad, CA 92009

  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ralph’s Market

  • 125 N El Camino Real

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

March 28, 2024

Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas

  • 477 N El Camino Real

  • CA 92024

  • 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

March 29-30, 2024

Scripps Encinitas Hospital Emergency Department

  • 354 Santa Fe Drive

  • Encinitas, CA 92024

  • 4:10 p.m. on March 29 to 1:30 a.m. on March 30 2024

Public Health says it will work with people at those locations to determine their potential for developing measles.

“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 Ankita Kadakia, M.D., County deputy public health officer. “Anyone who was at any of the specific locations and at the dates and times listed above should watch for symptoms and call their health care provider if they show any signs of the disease.”

If you think you have symptoms, do not visit your doctor’s office in person. Call first in order to keep from spreading the disease.

Health officials say measles develops seven to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A red rash usually appears one to four days after early symptoms appear.

Doctors consider a person contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.

“The best way to prevent measles is by getting the measles vaccine,” said Kadakia. “With measles outbreaks occurring in several countries, it is very important that all international travelers get vaccinated. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age who travel should get one dose, and travelers over 12 months of age should get two doses at least four weeks apart.”

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Complications from measles are more common in younger children and include diarrhea, ear infection and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications; young children and adults have the highest risk.

For more information about measles, other vaccine-preventable diseases and the shots that protect against them, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at 866-358-2966 or visit the website at www.sdiz.org.

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