Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency’s Public Health Branch staff continue to investigate the measles outbreak first identified Jan. 30. Staff have confirmed eight total measles cases in the county, which is an expected development based on early contact tracing.
All seven newly identified patients were close contacts of the first case. These patients have been working closely with Public Health from the beginning and agreed early on to stay home and isolate before they became contagious.
Because these individuals accepted guidance early, these new patients did not have contact with the public, and no new exposure sites have been designated, Shasta County Public Health Director Katie Cassidy said.
“Our public health teams want to thank the individuals affected, those who were exposed, and our community as a whole for working closely with our staff and following public health guidance. Your quick action and support have helped us manage this outbreak and continue protecting our community,” Cassidy said.
All patients will remain in isolation until they are no longer contagious. Public Health continues to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed during the original patient’s 8-day contagious period.
HHSA staff continue working with the following locations to contact employees and members of the public who were at:
Ninja Coalition, 900 Dana Drive on January 23 from 2:30 to 5:20 p.m.
An informal, outdoor capture the flag sport event at Highland Neighborhood Park, 555 Mill Valley Parkway, Redding, on January 23 from noon to 4 p.m.
Osaka Sushi, 1340 Churn Creek Rd., on January 23 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
A gym basketball game at the former CrossPointe Community Church, 2960 Hartnell Ave., Redding on January 24 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.
Costco, 4805 Bechelli Lane, Redding, on January 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Churn Creek HealthCare clinic, 3184 Churn Creek Road, Redding, on January 28 from 1:45 to 5 p.m.
If you were at these locations during these times, you can call the Shasta County Measles Information Line at (530) 638-5580, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, to speak with Public Health staff.
If you have symptoms of measles, prevent spreading it to others. DO NOT go directly to a clinic, hospital or go out in public. Call your healthcare provider or the emergency room first, so they can be ready for you.
In case of emergency call 911
For exposure guidance, please call the Measles Information Line at (530) 638-5580
If you were at these locations during the times listed, Public Health staff ask you to check whether you have received two doses of the measles vaccine. If you have not, you could be at risk of measles. Check your vaccine records at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/.
If you are trying to get your MMR vaccine and can’t get it through your health care provider, reach out to local pharmacies for availability.
If you have been identified as an exposed contact to measles, you may receive a text message or phone call from CDPH area code 279. You can respond to the text message or call the Shasta County Measles Information Line.
At this time, the locations listed above are safe to visit. Public Health does not have concerns about exposures in those places.
What to know about the measles vaccine
The measles vaccine is usually given as the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella).
People need two doses for strong protection.
People who have received both doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% protected from getting measles.
Children usually get:
A first dose at 12 months or older
A second dose before kindergarten (or at least one month after the first dose)
Many adults vaccinated before the 1990s may have received only one dose. Public Health encourages these individuals to ask their health care provider if they should get a second shot.
People born before 1957 are likely to already have immunity.
Symptoms
Measles isn’t just a little rash. Measles symptoms can include:
rash, typically appearing first on the face, along the hairline and behind the ears, then spreading to the rest of the body.
high fever (may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit)
cough
runny nose (coryza)
red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Common complications
Ear infections occur in about one of every 10 children with measles.
Diarrhea is reported in less than one of 10 people with measles.
Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards.
What to do if you show symptoms
To prevent spreading the disease to others:
DO NOT go out in public, to a clinic, hospital or doctor’s office.
Call a doctor if you are displaying these symptoms.
For more information about measles, visit HHSA’s The Facts About Measles webpage, or go to shastahhsa.net and click on “Local measles outbreak updates.”
