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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the Pottawatomie
County Health Department and Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services are
investigating possible exposures to a person with measles.
Measles was identified in a person from another state
who had visited the Shawnee area in April. Measles is a highly contagious
respiratory disease. The virus many
remain airborne up to two hours in a room after the person with measles has left
an indoor area.
Based on collected information, persons who visited the
following locations may have been exposed to the measles virus at the locations
and times below:
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FireLake Discount Foods (1570 Gordon Cooper
Drive) in Shawnee, Oklahoma from 7:00pm-9:30 pm on Friday, April 27th. Any persons that worked or visited this
grocery store during this date and time are considered exposed.
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Nail Spa (4409 N Kickapoo Avenue, Ste. 103) in
Shawnee, Oklahoma from 4:00 pm-7:30 pm on Saturday, April 28th. Any persons that attended or visited the nail
salon during this date and time are considered exposed.
The OSDH is collaborating with
officials of these organizations to identify persons that may have visited the
above mentioned locations to inform them of their exposure and provide
recommendations. Persons are protected if they are immunized with two doses of
a measles-containing vaccine after the first birthday, or if they were born
during or before 1957.
Those who think they may have been
at risk of exposure should review their immunization records and contact the Pottawatomie
County Health Department at 405-273-2157 or the OSDH epidemiologist-on-call at
800-234-5963 (24/7/365 availability). Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services
provides care for all Native Americans. Tribal members may call 405-273-5236
and ask for Public Health.
Persons who are susceptible to
measles usually develop symptoms about 10 days after exposure with a range of
7-21 days. Symptoms of measles begin with a mild to moderate fever, runny
nose, red eyes, and cough. A few days later, a rash appears starting on
the face spreading to the rest of the body accompanied by a fever that can
reach up to 105 degrees. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other complications,
especially in young children and adults over 20. The disease can also cause
serious problems in pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Individuals that were exposed and are
not experiencing symptoms of illness do not need to be evaluated by a
healthcare provider. If you experience symptoms of illness suggestive of
measles, contact your healthcare provider before presenting for care to discuss
instructions for check-in and registration.
People with measles can spread the
virus up to four days before the onset of the rash and until four
days after the rash starts. Measles can be prevented with the measles
vaccine (usually given in combination with rubella and mumps, called MMR
vaccine), and is recommended for all children at 12 to 15 months of age and
again at four to six years of age. If a person has not received a second dose
of the vaccine between four to six years of age, the booster dose may
be given at any age thereafter. Two doses of vaccine normally provide
lifelong immunity.
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