Kootenai County resident with measles had been at Sacred Heart ER

A measles infection was confirmed in a Kootenai County resident, with exposure risk in Spokane County, the Spokane Regional Health District said Friday.

Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the individual was in the following public locations:

• Saturday, March 14, 12:48 p.m. to 5:52 p.m., Providence Sacred Heart Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments

• Sunday, March 15, 10:41 a.m. to 4:53 p.m., Providence Sacred Heart Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments

Anyone who was at those locations during the times listed was possibly exposed to measles, a press release said.

Most people have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low, the release said. However, with confirmation of measles virus here, Spokane Regional Health District is advising individuals to check their children’s and their own vaccination status and verify that they are up-to-date with the measles mumps rubella vaccine.

If an individual is experiencing symptoms of measles (high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, rash) and believes they may have been exposed, they should contact their health care provider.

“Measures can be taken to prevent this disease,” said Dr. Francisco Velázquez, SRHD health officer. “Measles is a serious contagious disease, and the message is absolutely critical that if you or your child is not vaccinated, you need to get vaccinated.”