St. Louis County health officials warn of possible measles expos - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is warning individuals they may have been exposed to measles last week.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is working with the county’s department of public health to notify individuals of possible measles exposure on March 13 or March 14.News 4 learned a child from out of state visited the Magic House in Kirkwood shortly after being diagnosed with measles on March 13.  The infected child then visited Racanelli's New York Pizzeria and stayed at the Homewood Suites in Chesterfield.

"The person who was infected with the measles was here between 11 a.m.and 3 p.m.," said Melissa Swank, health manager at the Magic House. 

Both Racanelli's and the Magic House told News 4 that their facilities are clean and safe to the public but Homewood Suites has not returned our calls.

"We feel very confident that anyone can come and play because the virus is alive for such a small window of time, it really only impacted the people who were here for that short window," said Swank.

“Racanelli’s has taken this particular instance as an insight to further the sanitation process on a daily basis we want to make sure all of our customers are always in a safe sanitary food establishment when they enter in to any Racanelli’s.”

- John Racanelli, owner

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Rachel Orscheln with St. Louis Children's and Washington University hospitals said it's rare for a measles outbreak in St. Louis. She said most kids older than one-year-old are vaccinated against measles but certain types of people are vulnerable to it.

"Including young children, pregnant women and people with immune compromising conditions, can become very ill with measles," said Orscheln.

Symptoms of measles, which is highly contagious, generally include a rash that appears between seven and 21 days after exposure. Other symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

Anyone who believes they were exposed to measles should contact their healthcare provider if they develop cold-like symptoms with a rash, which will usually look like flat red spots that break out on the face and spread downward.

The department of public health is also advising people to check with their healthcare provider to ensure they are up-to-date on their measles vaccine.

Click here for more details about the measles. 

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