Doctor urges testing after measles exposure at Heritage Bank Center

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A doctor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital urged anyone who attended the Disney On Ice event at Heritage Bank Center last week to get tested.

Health officials are urging people to call a health provider or hospital about getting tested and not to go to an emergency room or urgent care because of how easily the disease spreads.

“Measles is usually spread through airborne or droplet routes,” Dr. Felicia Scaggs Huang said. “Viral particles can be suspended in the air for up to two hours after coughing, talking or sneezing. Less commonly it can be transmitted on contaminated surfaces.”

Dr. Huang said measles is so contagious one case could cause an outbreak. It usually takes a week for symptoms to show, which include

• Red eyes
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Eventually a rash from your headline to toes
• Health complications can arise after infection

Tiwana Bailey was at the event with her children and said the exposure has her concerned.

“I don’t think there was an empty seat,” Bailey said. “(I’m) just very concerned because this disease is out there and people are saying it takes one to two weeks to develop. People have to sit back wait and worry if their kids have it. I mean we don’t know, they could expose somebody else.”

While children usually handle infections well, Dr. Huang said children should be vaccinated because complications can occur.

“These are risks that are totally preventable with vaccinations,” Dr. Huang said. “If you’ve been worried about getting a vaccine just talk to your pediatrician. If you haven’t, now is the time to try and protect your family.”

The measles vaccine is included in the regular childhood vaccine regimen. She said anyone who isn’t sure should call their pediatrician.

Cincinnati Children’s has vaccine resources available online.

The Centers for Disease Control website has more information on measles and its symptoms.

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