Another confirmed case of Measles has been reported by Shasta County Public Health, bringing the total to nine so far. The new case is apparently unrelated to the previously identified cases and there’s a new batch of exposure locations to review. The highly contagious disease had been considered eliminated from this country due to nearly universal vaccination of children, but recent anti-vaccination trends have led to a resurgence. County Health Officials are trying to notify anyone who may have come into contact with the patient during their 8-day contagious period, during which they visited Redding Christian School in Palo Cedro from February 11th through the 13th, a basketball game at Crosspointe Church on Hartnell on February 14th from 2PM to 5PM and Prestige Urgent Care on Eureka Way February 16th from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Anyone who was at one of those locations should call the Measles Hotline at 638-5580. The exposure window for the previously announced locations has passed. Symptoms include a rash that starts on the face, along the hairline and behind the ears; a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The California Department of Public Health says 2 doses of MMR Vaccine provide 97% protection against Measles. Conversely, around 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed will get the disease. Anyone unsure about their status can check at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.
-Steve Gibson