COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A person infected with measles could have exposed others in Columbia amid an ongoing outbreak in the state.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health said the infected person visited the South Carolina State Museum on Jan. 2. Officials noted this person was not aware they were infectious at the time.
DPH said anyone who also visited the museum between 1 and 5 p.m. that day may have also been exposed. Experts note that the incubation period for measles can be up to three weeks, meaning symptoms may not become immediately apparent.
“People exposed at this location who are not immune could begin developing early symptoms of measles now,” the agency said Tuesday. “DPH is asking anyone who was at the museum during that specific day and time to contact a health care provider if you believe you may have been exposed and you develop symptoms, or if you do not have immunity to measles.”
Officials also said those who were exposed should monitor for symptoms through Jan. 23. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and fever; followed by a rash two to three days later that starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body.
DPH reported 124 new cases of measles on Tuesday, bringing the total number in the current outbreak to 434. The outbreak has been mostly contained to the Upstate.
WIS has reached out to the South Carolina State Museum for comment.
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