Massachusetts issued a warning Thursday of possible measles exposures in a pool, hospital and library around Boston and Lexington.
State health officials confirmed a case of the infection was diagnosed at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington. The person reported being at numerous locations when they were in their infectious period. Such locations include:
- Boston Logan International Airport Terminal B between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 15
- The Lexington High School Library between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 16
- The Irving H. Mabee Town Pool Complex in Lexington from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 19
- The Lahey Outpatient Center in Lexington from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 20
- The emergency department at Lahey Hospital in Burlington from 1 to 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 20
- The intensive care and critical care units at Lahey Hospital in Burlington from 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 21
The Massachusettes Department of Public Health warns residents that the infection is highly contagious. Those who are not immune and recently visited the affected locations are urged to visit health officials as they may be at risk of developing measles.
At the Lexington Town Pool on Friday, there was no panic but camp counselor Fritz Hyppolite said there is always some cause for concern.
"It always gives you just pause to take a second and think about it," Hyppolite said.
He said he and the other counselors were told about the possible measles exposures this week.
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"They asked if we knew if our kids were immunized because our kids are at the camp. Luckily, all our kids are," Hyppolite said.
Symptoms of the infection are similar to that of the common cold. A fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose are common symptoms associated with the infection. Victims contracted with measles may also develop a rash.
Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure. People with the infection may be contagious for up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.
"You never know what can be an issue. You know, something that is seemingly innocuous as the measles just because you are immunized - you don't worry about it. But you never know who is and who isn't," said Hyppolite.
For more information, contact your local health department or call DPH at 617-983-6800.
Click here for additional information on the DPH website.
Earlier this summer, Boston health officials alerted the public to a potential measles exposure on July 19 and 20 at a Tasty Burger near Fenway Park and Boston Logan International Airport.
