Measles Warning Issued for Asheville Hotel and Gas Station

Asheville, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has issued a warning for people who visited a local hotel or an Exxon gas station, as they may have been exposed to measles.

Officials indicate that anyone present at the Holiday Inn Express located at 435 Smokey Park Highway in Asheville on August 26, between 1 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., might have come into contact with the virus.

Additionally, the potentially exposed individual visited the Exxon station at 1920 Four Seasons Boulevard on August 25, during the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

This alert comes after health authorities were made aware of a case involving an out-of-state traveler who was infectious while passing through the area.

The hotel and gas station are reportedly cooperating fully with health officials to keep both guests and employees informed about the possible exposure.

Anyone who may have been in these locations is advised to monitor for symptoms until September 16. Should symptoms appear, including:

• High fever (potentially exceeding 104 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots found on the inner cheeks, gums, and the roof of the mouth (Koplik spots) typically two to three days after symptoms initiate
• A red, raised, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs within three to five days of the onset of symptoms

If you suspect you were exposed and need medical attention, it’s recommended to call ahead to your healthcare provider or hospital. This will help take necessary precautions to prevent further exposure.

As for this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have been 2,887 confirmed cases of measles. This is marked as the highest incidence since the second dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine became commonly administered beginning in the early 1990s.