Breaking News: State Health Officials Warn of Possible Hyannis Measles Exposure

HYANNIS – State health officials have issued a warning about a possible measles exposure in a Hyannis supermarket.

A person with a confirmed diagnosis of the illness visited the Whole Foods on Route 132 between 11:55 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. on March 28.

State health officials said anyone who is not immune and visited the store may be at risk for developing measles.

They’re being advised to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status.

The same infected person visited KKatie’s Burger Bar Restaurant in Plymouth on March 26 between 1:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed that a person was diagnosed with measles on Sunday, March 31.

“The measles virus is currently causing large national and international outbreaks of measles and a lack of vaccination, combined with domestic and international travel, has resulted in the spread of illness,” said Dr. Catherine Brown, Massachusetts State Epidemiologist. 

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from this disease,” she said.

Those who have not been immunized or do not know their measles immunization status should get vaccinated with at least one dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

According to state health officials, Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure may prevent measles disease.

Vaccination beyond that window will provide protection from subsequent exposures.

DPH, local health departments and healthcare providers are working to contact individuals at high risk for exposure.

Those who were exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their healthcare provider before visiting an office, clinic, or emergency department. 

Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to 2 weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.

A rash occurs on the skin 2-4 days after the initial symptoms develop. The rash usually appears first on the head and then moves downward.

The rash typically lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order.

People with measles may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.

Exposures to this individual may have occurred at the following locations and times:

Tuesday 3/26  

1:40 PM – 4:40 PM – Plymouth, MA

KKatie’s Burger Bar 

38 Main St Ext, Plymouth, MA 02360

Wednesday 3/27

8:40 am – 10:45 am – Waltham, MA

Starbucks

12 Market Pl Dr, Waltham, MA 02451

2:05 pm – 4:20 pm – Framingham, MA

Framingham Service Plaza on I-90 Westbound

Thursday 3/28 

8:50 am – 11:10 am – Waltham, MA

Staples

800 Lexington St Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

9:10 am – 11:15 am – Waltham, MA

Dunkin’

Wal-Lex Shopping Center

876A Lexington St

11:55 am – 2:05 pm  – Hyannis, MA

Whole Foods 

990 Lyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601

2:00 pm – 4:05 pm – Braintree, MA

Target

250 Granite St, Braintree, MA 02184

The CDC recommendations are:

  • Children. Children should receive their firstdose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12-15 months.  School-aged children need two doses of MMR vaccine. 
  • Adults. Adults should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Certain groups at high risk need two doses of MMR, such as international travelers, health care workers, and college students. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles from past exposures. 

For additional information, contact your local health department or DPH at 617-983-6800. To learn more about measles, visit the DPH website here.

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