University Hospitals Warns of Measles Exposure at 2 Cleveland Facilities

Q: Beyond the unvaccinated, why are even fully immunized individuals being warned to watch for measles symptoms after this hospital exposure?

Even fully immunized people are being told to watch for symptoms because the MMR vaccine is highly protective, not perfect, and measles is exceptionally contagious in a hospital setting. Two doses of MMR prevent about 97% of measles cases, which means a small share of vaccinated people can still become infected after a significant exposure. Public health guidance often includes vaccinated contacts in symptom monitoring for that reason, especially when exposure may have involved shared indoor air. Measles virus can remain suspended in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, so people may have been exposed even without direct contact. Hospitals also care for infants, transplant patients, cancer patients and others with weakened immune systems, making caution especially important. Some people who believe they are fully protected may also not have mounted a full immune response, may have incomplete records, or may have immune conditions that reduce protection. If a vaccinated person does develop measles, illness is often milder, sometimes called “modified measles,” which can make it easier to miss early. That is why health officials want anyone who was there during the exposure window to watch for fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and later a rash for 7 to 21 days after exposure, through Aug. 23 in this case. Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before seeking care so providers can use airborne precautions and avoid exposing others.

3 articles · Updated · Spectrum News 1 · Aug 7

University Hospitals said a Pennsylvania visitor later clinically diagnosed with measles was at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Cleveland Medical Center on Aug. 2.
The visitor was in the Rainbow Pediatric Cardiac ICU, main entrance lobby, elevator 73 and the medical center atrium from 11:07 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; exposure risk extends until 3:30 p.m. because the virus can linger in air for two hours.
Unvaccinated people who were in those areas during that window were told to contact their local health department, while vaccinated people should watch for symptoms.
Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure, and the hospital urged anyone present at the listed locations to monitor through Aug. 23 and call ahead before seeking care if symptoms develop.
University Hospitals said potentially exposed employees have already been contacted and placed under appropriate monitoring.