HUNTSVILLE– A Huntsville measles case has prompted state health officials to identify potential exposure locations and urge residents to check their vaccinations.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said a private laboratory reported a positive measles test involving an international traveler. The person visited businesses in the Huntsville/Bailey Cove area while infectious.

Potential Exposure Locations and Times

ADPH identified the following visits:

• Subway, 7900 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville: Oct. 4, 5, and 6, between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
• Publix, 12796 Bailey Cove Road Southeast: Oct. 4, between 1 and 3 p.m.

Anyone present at either business during those times should check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms, ADPH advises.

Measles Symptoms and Risks

Measles is a serious, highly contagious viral respiratory illness. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to ADPH, unvaccinated people have a 90 percent chance of infection after exposure. Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after infection.

However, infected people can spread measles for several days before symptoms develop, putting people without protection at risk.

Common symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash. Fever may also rise above 104 degrees.

In addition, measles can cause serious complications, especially in children younger than 5. These include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and death.

Vaccination Recommendations

ADPH urges residents to stay current on the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, commonly called MMR. The department also encourages parents to follow the routine childhood vaccination schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two MMR doses for children. First, children should receive a dose at 12 through 15 months of age. Then, they should receive a second dose at ages 4 through 6, before entering school.

Adults need one or two doses, depending on their risk factors. However, adults unsure of their vaccination status should contact their healthcare provider to determine whether vaccination is recommended.

International travelers should also be fully vaccinated before leaving the country. Infants ages 6 through 11 months should receive one MMR dose before international travel. Afterward, they should receive two more doses following their first birthday.

Although U.S. measles cases often originate from international travel, ADPH also highlighted national case numbers. In its Oct. 13 release, the department cited more than 4,000 confirmed U.S. cases this year, according to the CDC.

For additional information, visit ADPH’s measles information page.

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