GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – State health officials have reported a measles case in Gaston County.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Gaston County Public Health say a person with measles traveled through Gaston County while infectious.
Officials say anyone who was at Constantine’s Restaurant, located at 1825 S. New Hope Road, in Gastonia after 8:30 p.m. on December 26th, may have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms until January 16th.
According to officials, the individual also attended Christmas Town USA in McAdenville, North Carolina, from 5:30-8 p.m. on the same day, however, the individual did not visit any indoor locations, so officials say the risk of transmission of measles to others who were attending at the same time is low.
If symptoms develop, officials say to contact your local health department right away and stay at home unless seeking medical care.
Public health officials are recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. Measles vaccine is also recommended for infants 6-11 months who will be traveling internationally or to areas with active measles outbreaks.
This is the third case of measles reported in North Carolina this year.
Measles is a respiratory disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can also be transmitted through contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person. The virus 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) 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
For more information about measles, visit dph.ncdhhs.gov/measles.
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