The Maine Centers for Disease Control has confirmed a measles case in a resident and is warning of possible exposure to anyone who visited a local urgent care facility last Saturday.
The CDC says an unvaccinated adult from Somerset County tested positive for the illness, the first case in the state since February, when five cases were confirmed.
They said the latest case was confirmed on Tuesday, and anyone who was at the MaineGeneral Express Care, at 211 Main St. in Waterville, on Saturday, Sept. 12, between 8-11 a.m. might have been exposed to measles and should take precautions and watch for symptoms for 21 days after that date. The CDC said it is working with the facility to inform potentially exposed individuals.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, according to the CDC. If one person has measles, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will become infected. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash that spreads from the head down.
Those who develop symptoms are advised to contact their health care provider for instructions before going to the provider’s office or hospital to help prevent the spread of further infection.
