PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) \u2014 The Rhode Island Department of Health said that a case of measles had been confirmed in the state.<\/p>\n
The case was identified in a male in his late 40s from Providence county who had recent international travel and returned to Rhode Island on April 13.<\/p>\n
RIDOH also said that customers and staff who were at Panader\u00eda El Quetzal on Hartford Avenue in Providence on April 15 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. may have been exposed.<\/p>\n
Ryan Medeiros reports on a confirmed case of measles in Rhode Island. (WJAR)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“RIDOH has worked with Panader\u00eda El Quetzal and Atmed Treatment Center to notify staff and other people who may have been exposed,” the department said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Global Migration Health was notified because people on the same flights as these individuals may have been exposed.”<\/p>\n
Anyone who may have been exposed and began to develop symptoms were advised to call their healthcare provider before visiting an office, clinic, or emergency department.<\/p>\n
“Measles is almost entirely preventable through vaccination,” Director of Health Jerry Larkin said. “Any parent or guardian who has a child at home who is older than a year old and has not been vaccinated against measles should talk to their child’s healthcare professional. For any family with insurance issues or trouble accessing care, RIDOH can make vaccine available at no cost.”<\/p>\n
Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure and include:<\/p>\n
High feverCoughRunny noseRed, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)Tiny white spots inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheekA rash made up of large, flat blotches.<\/p>\n
“Here in Rhode Island, we’re really lucky. You know, 97% of our kindergartners have had their MMR vaccine, which is wonderful. That means we have really good herd immunity,” RIDOH Epidemiologist Dr. Suzanne Bornschein said. “International travel is definitely one of the risk factors that would put, in Rhode Island or at risk for, for contracting measles. And again, if you’ve had your measles vaccine, if you’ve had two doses, it’s 97% effective at protecting you from getting measles.”<\/p>\n
Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.<\/p>\n
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