ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department is advising residents of potential measles exposure in North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced additional cases of measles in three siblings in Buncombe County.
Possible Exposure:
Anyone who visited the Mission Hospital Emergency Department waiting room 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC between 2-6:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 may have been exposed.
Measles is highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact through the air. The virus can live up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms include fever and rash and can appear 7-21 days after exposure. The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine for all unvaccinated individuals 1 year and older.
If symptoms develop:
“People need to be aware that the risk of being exposed to measles is growing,” said Dr. Zack Moore, NCDHHS state epidemiologist. “Measles can be a very serious disease, so staying up to date on all recommended vaccines by checking with your health care provider is an important step we can all take to protect the health and well-being of our loved ones and our communities.”
For questions about the MMR vaccine or exposure, contact Richmond County Health Department.
