ADPH: Person with measles likely exposed others during 2 stops in AL

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - An individual with a confirmed measles case traveled through Alabama on April 11 and made two stops during the infectious period, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

The Alabama Department of Health (ADPH) urges action from people who were potentially exposed.

ADPH says the person, later found to have measles, stopped at D & J Travel Plaza, 651 Highway 28, W, Livingston, AL at 2:20 p.m. to purchase food and gas. Then at 5:54 p.m., the person entered at Chick-fil-A, 1824 Glenn Blvd. SW, Fort Payne, AL to order food.

“If you suspect you were exposed, it is important for you to call your healthcare provider before being seen in his or her office, follow instructions for reporting, and practice social isolation if you develop any of the signs and symptoms of measles,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris.

Information about measles from the ADPH:

Symptoms of measles appear 7 to 14 days after a person is infected. Common early symptoms include: high fever up to 105 degrees, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes.

Two to three days after symptoms begin, an infected person may have tiny white spots appear inside of the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin, the infected person could also have: a rash of flat red spots appear on the face and spread to the neck, chest, arms, legs and feet; small raised bumps may appear on the flat red spots.

Measles is very contagious and may live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
People can spread measles to others 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears.
Measles is spread from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing or from touching items and surfaces the infected person has coughed or sneezed on.
The best prevention against measles is receiving two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
If you are exposed, not up-to-date, or have unknown MMR vaccine history, please contact your doctor or pharmacist to get vaccinated.