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Health Department Confirms Measles Case In Fresno County, Possible Exposure

Fresno County Department of Public Health

Fresno County health officials say a man with measles recently visited a local hospital and other places including the Fashion Fair Mall, possibly exposing residents to the virus.

The man, who is from Southern California, was visiting a relative in the labor and delivery floor at Community Regional Medical Center. He was on the third and fourth floor of the hospital on two different occasions between January 22 and 25 at 9:00 p.m.

Health officials say CRMC is taking steps to contact patients who were exposed to this highly contagious disease.  

Others may have also been exposed. The man, who’s in his 40’s, visited the Disney and Build-A-Bear stores inside the Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Jan. 25. Later that day, he stopped at WinCo Foods on the corner of Kings Canyon and Peach between 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

David Luchini with the Department of Public Health says measles can be easily contracted by breathing in air that has been shared by a person infected with the virus. He says the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated.

Symptoms include high fever, red eyes, runny nose and a rash that usually begins on the forehead, spreading down the body. Luchini says it’s important for residents to take certain precautionary measures.

“If you think you may have been in those areas call your provider, if you think you may be sick stay home, stay home, stay home and contact the provider for further instructions.”

The county’s health department says this case may be linked with the recent measles outbreak in Disneyland. But officials say they’re optimistic about minimizing potential cases because Fresno County has one of the highest measles immunization rate in the state. The last case of measles in Fresno County was reported in 1994.

The county's Department of Public Health urges residents with questions about potential exposure to call the Measles Call Center at (559) 600-7193. 

Diana Aguilera is a multimedia reporter native of Santiago, Chile. It was during her childhood in Santiago where her love for journalism sparked. Diana moved to Fresno while in her teens and is a proud graduate of California State University, Fresno. While earning her degree in journalism and minor in Latin American studies, Diana worked for the Fresno Bee. Her work as a general assignment reporter continued after college and was recognized by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. In 2014, she joined Valley Public Radio. Her hobbies include yoga, traveling and reading.