Measles Alert: Potential Exposure in Denver and Steamboat Springs

Colorado health officials have issued an alert concerning a potential measles exposure. The alert follows a confirmed case linked to an unvaccinated out-of-state visitor earlier this week. Two specific locations have been identified as sites of possible exposure.

Denver Union Station, located at 1701 Wynkoop Street, experienced potential exposure on September 15 between 6-9 p.m. Symptoms may develop in individuals exposed here up to October 6. La Quinta Inn in Steamboat Springs, at 3155 Ingles Lane, had potential exposure on September 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with symptoms potentially appearing up to October 7.

Measles symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. Health authorities recommend immediate vaccination with the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure or immunoglobulin administration within six days to prevent or mitigate illness. Individuals who visited the identified locations on the specified dates are urged to monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

Those experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider before visiting to prevent further spread. Prompt medical guidance is crucial, especially for unvaccinated individuals and infants under one year old. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) provides additional resources on its measles webpage.