Possible Measles Exposure in Maryland

On June 8, 2011, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene put out a press release (PDF) about a person infected with measles who potentially exposed hundreds or thousands of others to the virus. This person was visiting for a high school graduation between May 31 and June 3. According to the press release, the individual may have exposed others at the following:

• Tuesday, May 31:
• Giant grocery store, 6223 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD between 5:00pm and 8:00pm
• Montgomery Plaza Liquors, 6225 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD between 6:00pm and 8:00pm
• Wednesday, June 1:
• Catonsville High School Graduation, UMBC RAC Center between 6:00pm and 11:00pm
• Thursday, June 2:
• Applebee's Restaurant, 8999 Ocean Gateway Drive, Easton, MD between 6:30pm and 11:00pm
• Friday, June3:
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards beginning at 7:00pm
• MTA Light Rail from 11:00pm until 1:30am Saturday, June4

Anyone who was at those locations should be vigilant about their health over the next couple weeks. Measles generally starts like a cold, with runny nose, watery eyes or conjunctivitis, cough and fever. Several days later, a rash begins to appear, starting around the hairline and gradually spreading down the face and neck and out, across the body to the arms and legs.

People who are particularly at risk are infants, pregnant women and those whose immune systems are weakened, as well as anyone who has never been immunized or infected before. If you begin to show symptoms, stay home and contact your health provider. Those who have been vaccinated or previously infected are most likely immune, though there is always a small chance that the vaccine or prior infection did not grant immunity.

For more information about measles, visit the CDC's web site on measles or view the CDC's Pink Book chapter on measles (PDF).