A child with measles visited several locations in Guilford and Forsyth counties, prompting health warnings.
GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said a child with measles recently visited several busy locations in Guilford and Forsyth counties.
Those include Piedmont Triad International Airport, the Greensboro Science Center, the Greensboro Aquatic Center, and ParTee Shack as well as several spots in Kernersville including a Sleep Inn and Lowe's grocery store.
The Greensboro Science Center is encouraging anyone with concerns to contact their doctor. Staff at the Aquatic Center say the child did not enter the pools or locker rooms, and that the facility is disinfected daily.
Measles is highly contagious, even before a rash appears. Health experts say the virus can spread from about four days before the rash starts to four days after.
"Measles is one of the most contagious viruses out there. So, that's why we take these cases very seriously," said State Epidemiologist, Zach Moore with North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services.
The CDC said vaccinated individuals are well protected but those who are unvaccinated remain at risk.
"If you were exposed and you're fully vaccinated, you're not at risk," Public Health Director of Forsyth County's Public Health Department, Joshua Swift said.
Both state and county health officials are concerned about declining vaccination rates.
"We are very concerned that the vaccination rates have declined," said Moore. "We've seen that globally, and that’s what’s driving the increase in measles cases."
"Over the past few months, we've opened up increased availability for the MMR vaccine. Unfortunately, we have not seen much response. There hasn't been much desire," Swift added.
Swift said about 90% of residents are vaccinated, but he hopes that number will go even higher. Moore urges people to watch for early symptoms.
"If they develop those early symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes—we encourage them to go ahead and reach out to their doctor or their health department," Moore said.
The child who tested positive was visiting from another country. They’ve been treated, released from the hospital, and are now in isolation. It’s still unclear where they were exposed to the virus.