Health District reports potential measles exposure

Encourages Southern Nevadans to review immunization status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 15, 2019

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District is informing individuals and the public who were at different locations listed below that they might have been exposed to a person who was confirmed to have a case of measles. Because measles can be highly contagious, the Health District is advising people who may have been exposed to review their immunization status and contact their health care providers if they are not fully immunized against measles or have not already had the disease. This measles case was reported in a visitor. There have been no additional cases reported in Clark County residents.

• Slice of Las Vegas
  3390 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (located inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place)
  Aug. 2, 2019, 6:45 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
  Aug. 4, 2019, 6:45 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
  Aug. 6, 2019, 6:45 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Luxor Hotel and Casino Registration Area
  Aug. 1, 2019, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Lupo by Wolfgang Puck
  3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (located at Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort)
  Aug. 3, 2019, 6:45 p.m. – 10:52 p.m.
• Bay Essentials Convenience Store
  3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (located inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place)
  Aug. 6, 2019, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Backstage Deli
  3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (located at Luxor Hotel and Casino)
  Aug. 6, 2019, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• Aureole
  3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (located at Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort)
  Aug. 5, 2019, 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

The measles vaccine is highly effective in preventing illness. Recommendations for measles vaccination may vary depending on a person’s age, occupation, or health status. Additional information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know website.

People who may have been exposed should also contact their health care providers if they develop a rash with fever or other symptoms consistent with measles within 21 days after their visit to these locations. It is recommended that anyone with symptoms contact a health care provider’s office before entering a health care facility to allow the facility to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the illness is not spread.

Symptoms can begin up to 21 days after exposure to the virus. On average, an infected patient will develop a fever about 10 days after exposure to the virus. The fever can last two to four days and can peak as high as 103 F to 105 F. Following this, people will often also develop a runny nose, cough, and/or red eyes. On average, about 14 days after exposure the telltale rash appears; the rash can last five to six days. It begins at the hairline, moves to the face and neck, and eventually reaches the hands and feet. Measles can spread approximately four days before the rash appears and four days after.

People more likely to suffer from complications include children younger than five years of age, pregnant women, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. When measles is spread among susceptible people, it can result in serious infections resulting in pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death. Many people born before 1957 had the disease in childhood, and younger people are routinely vaccinated against it.

For information about the Health District’s immunization clinics, call (702) 759-0850. Immunizations are available at the following locations. Please arrive by 4 p.m. to allow time for processing:

• Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas
  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 570 N. Nellis Blvd., Suite D1, Las Vegas
  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Southern Nevada Health District Henderson Clinic, 874 American Pacific Dr., Henderson
  Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Closed daily 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
  By appointment only. Call (702) 759-0960.
• Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane, Mesquite
  Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed noon – 1 p.m.
  By appointment only. Call (702) 759-1682.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.