Notifies facilities where exposure may have occurred out of an abundance of caution pending confirmation
AUGUSTA, Maine— The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has received a report of a positive measles laboratory result in a Maine child and is awaiting confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC). The Maine CDC notified the facilities where exposure may have occurred and is working with those facilities to inform potentially exposed individuals.
The child received a dose of measles vaccine. It is not possible to contract measles from the vaccine. Maine CDC is considering the child to be infectious out of an abundance of caution.
Individuals who were at the following locations during the times listed below were potentially exposed to measles and should take precautions:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Family Time Dine and Play at Auburn Mall in Auburn | April 29, 2023 | 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Clear Choice MD in Scarborough (273 Payne Road) | May 1, 2023 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Hannaford on Cottage Road in South Portland (Mill Creek Hannaford) | May 1, 2023 | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Mercy Fore River Emergency Department | May 2, 2023 | 7:45 p.m. to midnight |
| Mercy Fore River Emergency Department | May 3, 2023 | Midnight to 3:30 a.m. |
Anyone at these locations during these times should watch for symptoms for 21 days after their exposure. If you have symptoms, call a health care provider for instructions before going to the office or hospital to help prevent further spread of infection.
Most people are vaccinated for measles as a child, but if you are unsure about your vaccination status or are you are unvaccinated, speak with your health care provider. Unvaccinated individuals who were exposed can take steps to prevent infection and should speak with a health care provider.
According to the U.S. CDC, as of April 28, 2023, there have been 10 cases of measles confirmed in eight states so far this year. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, the symptoms of which include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash that spreads from the head down
Measles can cause severe sickness including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death. An infected person spreads measles through coughs or sneezes. Once infected, a person can spread measles from four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards. The virus remains alive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. Symptoms can begin 10-14 days from exposure but can be longer. There are no asymptomatic cases of measles.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best prevention for measles. Anyone who is not immunized or does not know their measles immunization status should get vaccinated.
Recommendations:
- Children. All children should be up to date with the MMR vaccination. The first dose should be received between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose should be received between 4 and 6 years of age. Check with your health care provider if you are unsure about whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations.
- Adults. All adults should have proof of immunity to measles. Acceptable proof includes one of the following:
- written documentation of vaccination
- laboratory evidence of immunity
- birth before 1957
- laboratory confirmation of disease
For adults with no evidence of immunity to measles, contact a health care provider to find out how to prevent measles.
- Some people exposed to the virus may still get measles even if they got the MMR vaccine. In this case, they are more likely to have a milder illness, and are less likely to spread the disease to other people.
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