Potential Measles Exposure at Parker Adventist Hospital

January 11, 2017:     Parker Adventist Hospital’s Emergency Department is on a list of locations released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment where an unvaccinated adult may have exposed the public to measles.

The Denver Post reported that the name of the patient was not released. The patient contracted measles abroad and was brought to Parker Adventist Hospital on December 29 for what developed into a 3-day course of treatment.

The Health Department created a detailed list of places the patient visited in the run-up to his hospitalization at Parker.

Authorities advised that people who had frequented the locations should monitor for symptoms of measles that start with a cough, runny nose, fever and red eyes sensitive to light, but then escalate within two to four days with a red facial flush that spreads to the rest of the body.

Vaccinated adults in strong health are not at great risk from measles exposure, but the risks escalate dramatically and can even be deadly for unvaccinated infants or adults, as well as for people with compromised immune systems.

In addition to the Parker Adventist Hospital Emergency Room, 17 other Denver Metro Area locations were visited by the patient with measles, including numerous retail locations, eateries, an urgent care facility and a gym.

Public domain photo of skin of person three days after contracting measles.