The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, has contacted employees and patients about possible measles exposure.
According to a news release, there was one confirmed measles case of a patient at KU Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. The hospital is notifying those who worked or visited the Emergency Department and first floor Unit 15, cystic fibrosis and medical telemetry, on these days, and may have been exposed to the measles:
• Friday, March 23, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., in the Emergency Department;
• From Friday, March 23, at 9 p.m. through 4 p.m. on Monday, March 26, in the first floor Unit 15 (cystic fibrosis and medical telemetry), and;
• From Friday, March 23, at 9 p.m. through 4 p.m. on Monday, March 26, in common areas of the main hospital, such as the cafeteria, the main lobby and atrium, the coffee shop and gift shop.
On Friday, March 23, a patient visited The University of Kansas Hospital who has since tested positive for measles, according to the news release. The University of Kansas Hospital is currently working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Wyandotte County Health Department to make the necessary notifications, the spokesman said.
“Our top priority is the safety, health and well-being of our patients, employees and visitors,” said Dr. Timothy Williamson, vice president for quality and safety for The University of Kansas Health System. “We encourage anyone who has not previously been vaccinated for measles and may have visited these areas during this time to contact their primary care provider to determine the most appropriate next step for them.”
It is important for individuals who may have been exposed to know their immunity status. For individuals who have had measles or have been vaccinated, the risk of contracting the disease is extremely low. For anyone who may have been exposed and who develops a fever, it is important to stay at home and limit contact with other people, the news release stated. These individuals should immediately contact their healthcare provider and call ahead so the provider can take the necessary precautions to limit exposure to other patients and staff.
For anyone who visited these areas during these times, or visited the hospital and has general concerns, there are a number of resources available:
• Wyandotte County Health Department: 913-573-8855 and http://www.wycokck.org/Health.aspx
• Kansas Department of Health and Education Epidemiology Hotline: 877-427-7317
• For more information about the measles: https://www.cdc.gov/features/Measles/index.html
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment earlier issued a news release about the measles, mainly affecting Johnson, Linn and Miami counties.
Besides several Johnson County locations, there were two locations listed at The Legends Outlets where patients with the measles visited. After March 31, persons will not develop symptoms if exposed to the measles on March 10, according to a state health news release.
• Bath and Body Works at Legends Outlets; 1803 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, on March 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and
• Crazy 8 at Legends Outlets; 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, on March 10 after 11 p.m. to 3p.m.
Locations in Johnson County where persons may have been exposed to the measles are listed on the news release at http://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/03-28-2018-UPDATE-Update-Measles-Outbreak-in-Johnson,-Linn-and-Miami-Counties.pdf.
According to a state health news release, the average number of days between when a person is exposed to measles, and when they first start showing symptoms is approximately 10 to 14 days (range of 7 to 21 days). Apparently this outbreak may have started in a daycare.
Secondary cases are now appearing outside of the daycare. There is concern that some individuals in the general population may have potentially been exposed to persons with measles while they were infectious, according to the state news release. If a person has visited one or more of these locations on the dates and times listed they may have been exposed to measles.