New Measles Case Prompts Exposure Warnings in Larimer County

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A new measles case in Weld County, Colorado has led to potential exposure warnings for people who visited two health care facilities in Larimer County on Monday afternoon. The unvaccinated adult who was a close contact of a known measles case visited an urgent care clinic and an emergency department, potentially exposing others to the highly contagious virus.

Why it matters

Measles outbreaks have been on the rise in recent years, driven in part by lower vaccination rates in some communities. This latest case highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles, which can have serious complications, especially for young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

The details

The potential exposure windows are: UCHealth Primary Care Johnstown from 3:15-5:20 p.m. and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center emergency department from 3:35-6:10 p.m. on Monday, April 14th. Unvaccinated individuals who visited these facilities during those times may have been exposed and should seek medical care immediately. Getting the measles vaccine within 72 hours of exposure can reduce the chances of getting sick, while an antibody product may still help if administered within 6 days.

• On Monday, April 14th, an unvaccinated adult who was a close contact of a known measles case in Weld County visited two health care facilities in Larimer County.
• The potential exposure windows were from 3:15-5:20 p.m. at UCHealth Primary Care Johnstown and from 3:35-6:10 p.m. at Banner Fort Collins Medical Center emergency department.

What’s next

The state health department is asking unvaccinated people with a known measles exposure to quarantine for 21 days. Anyone who develops symptoms after a known measles exposure should call ahead before seeking medical care.