The Orange County Health Department has been notified that a person infected with measles visited a public place in Orange County while contagious.
Anyone who visited the location during the date and time listed below may have been exposed:
- Goodwill Store, 1115 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
- Feb. 6, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
If you think you may have been exposed during the time frame listed above and have never been vaccinated against measles (MMR vaccine), please call 919-245-2400 and ask to speak to a communicable disease nurse to assess your measles risk.
Vaccination and isolation are key to limiting disease spread. Measles is highly contagious and can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots), appearing two to three days after symptoms begin
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
- Measles can also cause complications including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.
If symptoms develop, individuals should call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency department so precautions can be taken to prevent additional exposures.
Laboratory testing is not recommended for people who were exposed unless they develop symptoms of measles, including fever and rash.
Vaccination remains the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from measles. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is safe and highly effective. Two doses provide the best protection. Orange County Health Department encourages anyone age 1 or older who is not vaccinated to talk with a healthcare provider about getting immunized. If you would like to schedule a vaccination with the Orange County Health Department, please call 919-245-2400.
The measles immunity checker tool is also available for preliminary guidance on personal measles immunity status. For more information about measles, visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.