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DC folks: Measles warning.

Posted by loosilu (aka loosilu) Apr 21 '09, 08:31

Officials warn of measles exposures
By: William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer
04/20/09 7:17 PM
Local health officials warned area residents Monday that they may have been exposed to measles earlier this month at sites throughout the region, a precaution after a D.C. man tested positive for the virus after returning from India.

The man visited locations including restaurants, grocery stores and a book fair in Rockville, Bethesda, Arlington and the District between April 4 and April 10, officials said during a news conference.

The report comes on the heels of, but is unrelated to, four cases in Montgomery County since February, officials said The infected resident has been treated and released from the hospital, and his wife is being monitored.. While five incidents of measles represent a rare spike for the virus, it does not constitute an outbreak, officials said.

Anyone not immune to the virus who was at the sites during the day and times announced by authorities is urged to contact his or her health departments. Those who have had measles or who have been vaccinated do not need to call, said Arlington County Health Director Reuben Varghese. He said the establishments do not pose any risk of infection.
Measles, best known for a red skin rash, is a potentially fatal, highly infectious virus that spreads through contact with an infected person sneezing or coughing. Health officials say because measles has been nearly eradicated in the United States, having multiple cases in a short period is cause for concern.

World health authorities have said measles deaths have dropped significantly worldwide. But federal health officials say the disease has been resurgent in the United States, with nearly half of those involving children whose parents refuse vaccination.

Recent cases in California, Pennsylvania, Iowa and now the Washington region show that as long as measles exists somewhere in the world, it�s still a threat, said Athalia Christie, senior technical adviser with the American Red Cross and member of the Measles Initiative, a global group.

Exposure sites

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Saturday, April 4
Bethesda: Used book fair at Stone Ridge School, 9101 Rockville Pike, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rockville: Vegetable Garden Restaurant, 11618 Rockville Pike, noon to 3 p.m.
Rockville: Jiffy Lube, 5535 Nicholson Lane, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Call the Montgomery County Health Department: 240-777-4200

ARLINGTON COUNTY
Sunday, April 5
Saigon Saigon Restaurant, Pentagon Row, 1101 S. Joyce St., 7 to 11 p.m..
Harris Teeter, Pentagon Row, 900 Army Navy Drive, 9 to 11:30 p.m.
Call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline: 800-533-4148

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Saturday, April 4
Pot Belly Restaurant, near Federal Center Metro, 409 Third St. SW, 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
Safeway, 401 M St. SW, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10
Safeway, 401 M St. SW, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
D.C. residents should call 311. Others: 202-737-4404

Responses:

"with nearly half of those involving children whose parents refuse vaccination" - ugh, what terrible parents. -- nm - Don Homer Apr 21, 08:33 25
- they were just unlucky parent and had a Doctor who had religious convictions against vaccination - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:38 18
  - it's always the parents. there may be a rare, freak doctor or two who is opposed to vaccination. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:46 5
    - make it mandatory then.... - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:49 4
      - can't do that in the US. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:51
      - Americans do not like the word "mandatory" -- nm - con_carne Apr 21, 08:49 2
        
        the love the words "unnesesary deaths" ? - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:55 1
        
        I think you mean 'Spanish flu', not 'Spanish fly' :) -- nm - Roger More Apr 21, 08:57
  - most often it's parents who are convinced that vaccines cause autism. -- nm - znufrii Apr 21, 08:39 11
    - i fail to see why the doctors sould be except at all..... - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:42 10
      - I'm sure the expense of malpractice lawsuits factor into their decisions to accede to the parent's wishes in these types of cases. -- nm - znufrii Apr 21, 08:44 9
        
        malpractice? - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:46 8
        
        that's not what I'm talking about at all. - znufrii Apr 21, 08:47 7
        
        there was a discussion about a few weeks back when someone surgestet that a doctour should have that right - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:50 6
        
        well, I can't think that a doctor would be able to pass his board examinations, or have them quickly revoked - znufrii Apr 21, 08:52 1
        
        word -- nm - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:55
        
        oh, and that discussion was not related at ALL to vaccination. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:52 1
        
        I can see how it's not that far of a stretch, though. - znufrii Apr 21, 08:54
        
        the result will be that some kids never go to a doctor. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:51 1
        
        well like i say some parents are pjenomenal in the job of parenting and some are utterly stupid - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:57
- I wonder who the other half is? adults who didn't get boosters maybe? -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:36 3
  - immigrants -- nm - Don Homer Apr 21, 08:37 2
    - and travelers -- nm - Danedukenuuk Apr 21, 08:43
    - ah. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:37
- I feel pretty strongly that kids should be vaccinated. -- nm - loosilu Apr 21, 08:35 1
  - It shouldn't really be a choice. -- nm - Don Homer Apr 21, 08:37

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DC folks: Measles warning.

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