DENVER — People might have been exposed to a baby with the measles at stores, a restaurant, medical facilities and other locations in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Parker, Lone Tree and Denver last week, the Tri-County Health Department said Monday in issuing a warning about the risk of exposure.
The baby might have exposed people to the respiratory illness at the following locations and times:
- Kumon Math and Reading Center of Highlands Ranch – East at 9362 S. Colorado Blvd. #D-08, Highlands Ranch: July 8, 3:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m. and July 11, 3:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m.
- King Soopers at 9551 S. University Blvd, Littleton: July 11, 4:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
- Panda Express at 9563 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch: July 11, 5:45 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Southeast Denver Pediatrics at 11960 Lioness Way #200, Parker: July 12, 9:50 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; July 13, 9:50 a.m.-12:35 p.m.; and July 14, 11:35 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
- Target at 10001 Commons St., Lone Tree: July 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Sky Ridge Pediatric Emergency Department (Evergreen Building) at 10107 Ridge Gate Pkwy, Lone Tree: July 14, 12:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
- Pediatric Unit at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian St. Luke’s at 2001 High Street., Denver: July 14, 8:30 p.m. to July 15, 3:30 a.m.
The health department is advising anyone who visited the locations to contact their health care provider to get vaccinated if they are not already immune.
“Measles is a respiratory illness that can be spread by coughing and sneezing, and can be very dangerous for infants who are too young to be vaccinated, immune-compromised people, and those who have not been immunized. Complications include ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain),” health department officials stated.
Symptoms of measles typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure. The health department urged people to watch for symptoms, and issued the following information:
- Symptoms include a fever of 101 degrees or higher, a runny nose, red eyes that are sensitive to light, and coughing.
- Two to four days after the first symptoms, a red rash starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
- A person can be contagious for four days before the rash appears and for up to four days after the rash appears. People with measles symptoms should NOT go to childcare, school, work, or out in public, since they may spread the disease to others.
- If you need to be seen by a doctor, call the office to tell them about your symptoms. Do not go inside the doctor’s office or hospital since measles is highly contagious, and the doctor might meet you outside of the medical office in order to protect other patients and visitors.
“As of Sunday evening, July 17, every person known to have been in contact with the baby — or in close proximity at the locations listed — has been identified and/or personally contacted by the health department, and provided the appropriate preventive measures,” said John M. Douglas Jr., executive director of Tri-County Health Department. “This notice to the public is out of an abundance of caution, and any remaining risk is extremely low.”
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