The Douglas County Health Department cautioned Friday that a visitor to Omaha has been diagnosed
with measles and was most likely contagious on May 6-9 while visiting several Omaha locations.
The locations and events include the Madagascar exhibit at the Henry Doorly Zoo on May 7; any morning Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church on May7 and 9; HyVee at 156th Street and West Maple Road on the morning of May 7; and Target at 132nd and West Maple Road on the night of of May 6 and late-afternoon and night of May 8.
A person who develops measles symptoms and who was at one of those places during one of those times should call their medical provider immediately to discuss their exposure before arriving at the provider's office. The provider will advise the patient to go in or arrange a visit at a different spot so that others aren't exposed.
Those who were infected at those places could develop symptoms as soon as Friday, May 14.
Symptoms generally start seven to 14 days after exposure. A typical case begins with fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and sore throat. Two or three days later, tiny white spots may appear in the mouth.
Three to five days after the start of symptoms, a reddish rash appears at the hairline and spreads down the body.
Measles may involve complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea and, in rare instances, encephalitis.
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