Three Confirmed Pediatric Cases of Measles in Colorado Following International Travel

Tri-County Health Department press release

Three unvaccinated children who are visiting Colorado from another state tested positive for measles after traveling to a country with an ongoing measles outbreak. They are currently hospitalized at Children's Hospital Colorado. Tri-County Health Department is working with local partners to identify people who may have been exposed to measles since the children landed in Colorado.

People visiting the following locations on the following dates may have been exposed to measles (times are approximate):

Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 1:15 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

• Denver International Airport (DEN) — Concourse A, train to baggage claim, west baggage claim and west level 4 passenger pick up areas.

Thursday, December 12, 2019, from 1 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

• Children's Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus Emergency Department — 13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045.

All individuals traveling on the plane with these children or who visited Children's Colorado during this time frame and are believed to be at risk are being contacted directly by public health.

However, anyone who visited these locations at these times should monitor themselves or their children for symptoms of measles.

If a pregnant woman, infant or person with a weakened immune system visited the above locations during those dates and times, they should contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible.

There is little to no risk to other patients or visitors to Children's Colorado Emergency Department. Public health officials do not consider patients or visitors to other areas of Children's Colorado to have been exposed to measles. There is no ongoing risk of exposure at Children's Colorado or at Denver International Airport from this incident.

Tri-County Health Department, Children's Colorado, Denver Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are working together on this measles investigation. People who have questions about this incident or who need general information about measles can call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911 for information in English and Spanish.

"I urge everyone to make sure they have gotten their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine," said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. "Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and the ones you love from measles."

Measles is highly contagious. If you or your child has symptoms that could be measles and need to be seen by a doctor, call your doctor's office first to tell them about your symptoms. Your doctor's office will give you information on how to proceed in order to protect other patients and visitors.

Children's Colorado official statement

We want to assure the community that Children's Hospital Colorado on Anschutz Medical Campus is safe, as are all of our locations across the state. The affected patients are in isolation with a dedicated care team. We are exercising all precautions to keep our patients, families and team members safe.

Children's Colorado will continue operating as normal. If you have questions about measles or your child's health, please talk to your primary care provider or call our ParentSmart Healthline at 720-777-0123.