According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, a person from outside St. Louis potentially exposed visitors to measles during a trip to the St. Louis Aquarium on April 30, from 1 to 6 p.m.
ST. LOUIS — The health department has reported that a visitor with measles may have put others at risk at the St. Louis Aquarium last week.
In a release on Sunday, the department indicated that this individual not only visited the aquarium but also dined at a nearby restaurant. However, details regarding this visit remain quite limited.
They advised anyone who might have been exposed to keep an eye out for symptoms and to contact their local health authorities if they notice anything unusual.
Measles, which is a highly contagious respiratory virus linked to febrile rash illness, has been largely eliminated in the U.S., yet it can still be brought in by unvaccinated travelers. It tends to spread in communities with low immunization. The Missouri DHSS notes that one person infected with measles can easily infect up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals nearby.
Symptoms typically manifest seven to 14 days following infection. They commonly begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. White spots might emerge inside the mouth within a couple of days, and the characteristic rash often starts on the face, then spreads to the neck and body over several days.
Children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, which could result in hospitalization or even death.
Missouri has recorded one confirmed case of measles this year, involving a child from Taney County.
The department stresses that the most effective way to prevent illness is through the two-dose vaccination, which is said to protect over 97% of recipients. The CDC and Missouri DHSS recommend that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months, with a second dose administered between 4 to 6 years. Additionally, unvaccinated adults may also get catch-up MMR vaccinations.
