UC Berkeley measles patient traveled to Richmond while contagious

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Berkeley health officials have issued a warning after a UC Berkeley student tested positive for measles after riding public transportation away from the school.

The student took a bus from the UC Berkeley campus to Contra Costa County.

Officials have tested those who came into close contact with the patient to see if they are immune and protected. They also sent an email out to the entire campus Tuesday morning letting everyone know about this case.

Measles is a highly infectious, airborne virus. Those infected can carry the virus for up to three weeks before developing symptoms, which include high fever, cough and watery, red eyes. A rash usually develops days after the fever.

"The news is if you've had your measles vaccine, your two doses at the recommended ages, then you're fine. You go about your daily business and say 'great I've had my vaccine, I'm protected.' If you haven't been immunized then students can come into the student health center and get a dose of the MMR vaccine to protect themselves and other people can go to their regular health care provider and get the vaccine. And then the other thing if you're not immune and exposed, you actually need to pay attention to whether you develop symptoms and seek health care if you do develop symptoms," Berkeley Health Officer Janet Berreman, M.D., said.

City spokesman Matthai Chakko says the student rode the AC Transit 25-A bus on the afternoon of Aug. 24 to 99 Ranch Market in Richmond. Officials say if you were in the store between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. you may have been exposed and encouraged to check on your own immunization records to see if you have been immunized.

The student will continue to be in isolation at least until Wednesday. Officials say food can be delivered, but no direct contact with anyone is expected to be OK.

City officials encourage those who develop symptoms to contact their health care provider immediately.

Those at highest risk from measles are the unvaccinated, infants, pregnant women and those with impaired immunity. Those who have had the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine are at very low risk, officials said.