The Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed three more measles cases it believes were transmitted from an under-vaccinated restaurant worker diagnosed several weeks ago.
The three new patients are all adults under the age of 55, health officials said. Two are staff members at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand, and the third person was a patron at the restaurant, officials said.
The new diagnoses bring the total number of measles cases in Clark County this year to nine. The first case was reported in late January.
The Health District has not determined the immunization status of the three adults most recently diagnosed.
One of the restaurant staff members was potentially contagious while working shifts at the eatery that began at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18, 19, 20 and 21, officials said.
Another person recently diagnosed with measles had visited a pharmacy and restaurant on Sunday, officials said.
The person was at the Walgreens clinic and drugstore at 2389 E. Windmill Lane between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and at the Chili’s Grill & Bar at 7530 S. Las Vegas Blvd. between 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Health District is asking people who visited those locations in that time frame to review their immunization records for measles.
If measles symptoms, such as a rash with fever, develop within 21 days, people should contact a doctor by phone before entering a medical facility, officials said. That allows medical staff time to make arrangements to prevent the illness from spreading.
The Health District believes the initial restaurant worker diagnosed with measles was infected by an infant who was too young to be vaccinated.
“Measles is a highly contagious illness and is circulating in the community,” Health District officials said in a statement. “The Health District encourages everyone to review his/her immunization status and get vaccinated if necessary.”
Symptoms of measles can appear as soon as 10 days after exposure to the virus.
An infected person typically develops a fever that can last two to four days and reach 105 degrees, followed by a runny nose, cough and red eyes.
About two weeks after exposure, the virus’ signature red rash appears and can last five to six days. The rash begins at the hairline before moving to the face and neck and onto the hands and feet.
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