Mecklenburg County Public Health has issued new warnings about possible measles exposure linked to cases from another area. This brings the total exposure sites in the county to eight, with three confirmed cases currently reported.
Recent notices include these locations where people may have been exposed:
- Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center on February 3 from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. and February 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Note that Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital is not affected.
- Chipotle on South Kings Drive on February 3 between 9:50 and 11:50 p.m.
- Goodwill on University Point Blvd. on February 4 from noon to 3:45 p.m.
- Goodwill on W.T. Harris Blvd. on February 4 from 2 to 4:40 p.m.
The health department assures these places are now safe to visit. The exposures are part of a larger investigation that spans beyond Mecklenburg County. For context, measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to severe complications, with symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. It can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, making it easy to spread.
When health officials cannot trace all contacts during an outbreak, they will issue exposure notices like these to curb further transmission. If you see any symptoms of measles, it’s crucial to contact healthcare providers immediately.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains a measles dashboard that updates regularly, providing current data about cases and exposure alerts.
To help prevent the spread, the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is readily available throughout Mecklenburg County. You can find it at several public health clinics, including:
- Northwest Health Department (2845 Beatties Ford Road): Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Southeast Health Department (249 Billingsley Road): Same hours as the Northwest Health Department.
- Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center (430 Stitt Road): Hours are the same.
- Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center (3205 Freedom Drive, Entrance A): Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It’s important for everyone, especially those at risk, to ensure they’re vaccinated. According to the CDC, the MMR vaccine is about 97% effective, and with measles outbreaks on the rise globally, vaccination is an essential step in protecting public health.
For ongoing updates and information, check the NCDHHS measles dashboard. Stay informed and stay safe!
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Mecklenburg Public Health
