The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a confirmed case of measles in Franklin County and is warning the public that people who were in and around Farmington in the past several days may have been exposed.
This is the first case of measles in Maine in 20 years.
The CDC said Tuesday that people who were at these locations may have been exposed:
* Narrow Gauge Cinema, Farmington, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
* Grantlee’s Tavern and Grill, Farmington, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
* Farmington Farmers Market, Farmington, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17.
* The Kingfield Woodsman, Kingfield, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 18.
* Restaurant la Chocolaterie, Lac-Megantic, Quebec, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 18.
* Franklin Memorial Hospital emergency department, Farmington, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18.
* Franklin Memorial Hospital laboratory, Farmington, Monday, from noon to 2:30 p.m. June 19.
The CDC said the confirmed case is “travel associated” and no other cases have been reported or are under investigation in Maine.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is characterized by fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. Measles can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
Measles is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infected people are contagious from four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards. After an infected person leaves a location, the virus remains alive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. The incubation period — the period between exposure to symptoms — is typically 10 to 14 days, but can be as long as 21 days.
“The Maine CDC is working with clinicians to identify potentially exposed individuals and make appropriate recommendations to prevent transmission,” said State Epidemiologist Siiri Bennett said in a statement released Tuesday.
The CDC said that anyone who might have been exposed should review their vaccine history and watch for symptoms. Anyone with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for instructions before arriving at the provider’s office or hospital. Measles is a notifiable disease in Maine.
All suspected cases of measles should be reported immediately by phone at 800-821-5821.
The CDC said the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the best protection against the disease. Children receive two doses, the first between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune. For adults without immunity, one dose of the vaccine is recommended unless they are international travelers, health care workers, college students or otherwise considered at high risk. Those adults should get two doses of the vaccine.
Women are advised to not receive any live virus vaccine during pregnancy, including this one.
