Some residents in Fauquier County, Virginia, might have been exposed to a patient possibly infected with measles, health officials said in a warning issued on Wednesday.
The Virginia Department of Health said in a release that anyone who was at the Fauquier Health Emergency Department on Hospital Drive in Warrenton from 3:10 p.m. Monday to 12:35 a.m. Tuesday could have been exposed to the highly contagious illness.
Health officials with the hospital and local health department are working to identify people who might have been exposed, the release said.
According to the health department, measles symptoms usually appear in two stages.
In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body. Based on the date of exposure, health officials say anyone infected at the hospital could develop symptoms as late as July 9.
The health department said anyone who has never received a measles containing vaccine nor had a documented case of measles, could be at risk of getting measles from the exposure.
Officials say residents who notice measles symptoms should stay home and away from others and immediately call their primary health care provider or health department to discuss further care. Call ahead before going to the office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.
