09-04-2025
What to do if exposed to measles at Denver Health Emergency Department
Denver (KDVR) — Health officials are now reaching out to people who were at the Denver Health Emergency Department on Sunday, April 6th, between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to let them know they may have been exposed to measles and to assess their risk for contracting the disease.
A child was diagnosed there Sunday, but did not need to be hospitalized. Denver Department of Public Health and Environment says the patient is under the age of one, was not vaccinated and had recently traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico, where there is an ongoing measles outbreak.
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Courtney Ronner with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment says the department has activated its operations center to assist with the case.
'Approximately 100 patients were in the ER during that exposure window. So, what we are doing is we are contacting all of those folks, as well as other people who may have been in the ER to assess their exposure risks,' Ronner said.
People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms for the next 21 days. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and then three to five days later a rash that starts on the head and works its way down the body.
Dr. Bob Belknap, the Executive Director of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, says measles is transmitted through the air, and can stay in the air for two hours. He says the facility conducted a thorough cleaning and he does not want families to avoid healthcare out of fear.
'The risk of getting exposed to measles in Colorado and in a health care setting is extremely low,' Dr. Belknap said.
But if you suspect measles, the doctor says you should call ahead so the provider can take precautions to prevent additional exposure.
Children typically don't get their first dose of Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine until they are 12 to 15 months old.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy says this shows the risk of travel.
'If you are really thinking about going to a place where there are ongoing outbreaks, I think it is important to reconsider whether now is the time to travel if you are unvaccinated or your children are too young to be routinely vaccinated for measles,' Herlihy said.
The doctor says if needed, you can talk to your provider about getting an early dose of the MMR vaccine for a child that is 6 to 11 months old, but that is not preferred.
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