Measles Case Confirmed in Shasta County

A MESSAGE FROM SHASTA COUNTY – Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Branch continues to investigate a confirmed case of measles. Public Health officials urge residents to be aware of measles symptoms and to take precautions to help stop the spread.

The Shasta County case is related to cases in Butte and Tehama Counties and are considered to be part of a cluster. We are working closely with Butte and Tehama as well as the California Department of Public Health.

The most important step to stop the spread of measles is to get vaccinated. People who have received two doses of the measles vaccine have less than 1% chance of contracting the disease after exposure.

Measles is a highly contagious, viral disease that is spread through the air when a person sick with the disease coughs or sneezes. If you were at the locations listed and have not been vaccinated, you will need to monitor for symptoms and limit contact with others for 21 days. It is particularly important to stay away from infants, immunocompromised persons and pregnant women.

If you were at the specific locations during the times in question you can call (530) 225-5591 to speak with Public Health staff.

The locations are:

  • Taco Bell on Old Alturas Rd. in Redding on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 17 from 6 a.m. to noon.
  • The Raley’s Supermarket on Lake Boulevard in Redding on March 18 around 6 to 7 p.m.
  • The Shasta College 800 Building on March 19 from 9:30 p.m. to noon and 3:30 to 5 p.m.
  • The Shasta College Library on March 19 from noon to 4:30 p.m.
  • The Raley’s Supermarket on Lake Boulevard in Redding on March 19 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Symptoms of measles begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. These symptoms are followed by a rash that typically appears on the face along the hairline or behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body. Complications of measles can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Severe complications can be fatal. Infants, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are more at risk for complications from measles.

Please call a physician if you are displaying measles symptoms. DO NOT go out in public, to a clinic, hospital or physician’s office before calling their facility to prevent spreading the disease to others.

An individual is infectious from four days before the rash starts through four days after the rash appears.

This incident is a perfect reminder of the importance of vaccinations and we urge everyone to use this opportunity to contact their medical provider or pharmacy to check their immunization status and schedule a time to receive or update their vaccinations.

We do want to stress that Shasta College, the Raley’s on Lake Boulevard, and the Taco Bell on Old Alturas Road are all safe and the public should not have any concerns about exposure at this time.

For more information about measles and please visit www.shastahhsa.net and click on the “Information on Measles” banner at the top of the page.