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DR. Todd Eller says when the measles virus goes airborne-- it can linger in a space up to 2 hours after the carrier has moved on. If you've been vaccinated-- you should be safe. But if you haven't been vaccinated-- you my have been exposed if you were at the following locations: K-Katie's Burger Bar in Plymouth last Tuesday. Starbucks on Market Place Drive in Waltham last wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon-- the infected person stopped at the Framingham rest stop on the Pike Westbound. There are FOUR places involved last Thursday: Staples in Waltham The Dunkin on Lexington Street in Waltham... and The Target at South Shore Plaza... And the Whole Foods in Hyannis. The news comes as the CDC sounds the alarm about a growing number of measles cases-- There have been 387 confirmed cases in the U.S. so far this year... That's more than ALL of last year. Two years ago... there were only 120 cases total. Health officials blame the increase on people who choose not to vaccinate themselves or their children. Early symptoms of measles show up 10 days to 2 weeks after exposure, and may resemble a cold: with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A rash usually appears two to four days later - starting on the head, and then moving downward on the body If you have NOT been vaccinated and think you were exposed-- call your doctor-- don't just show up in person-- that's how measles spreads. If you don't KNOW if you've been vaccinated .. also Call your doctor and find out. The vaccine is 97 percent effective.. It's worth getting again.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed a person was diagnosed with measles in the Greater Boston area Sunday.Officials said this is the first measles case in Massachusetts this year.During the infectious period last week, the person went to the following locations, where other people may have been exposed.Tuesday, March 26KKatie's Burger Bar, 38 Main St. Ext., Plymouth, MA 02360 (1:40 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.) Wednesday, March 27 Starbucks, 12 Market Pl Dr., Waltham, MA 02451 (8:40 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.)Framingham Service Plaza on Interstate 90 west (2:05 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.) Thursday, March 28 Staples, 800 Lexington St., Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 (8:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.) Dunkin’, Wal-Lex Shopping Center, 876A Lexington St., Waltham, MA 02452 (9:10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.) Whole Foods, 990 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601 (11:55 a.m. - 2:05 p.m.) Target, 250 Granite St, Braintree, MA 02184 (2:00 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.)Officials said people who visited any of the above locations and who are not immune may be at risk of developing measles and are advised to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status.“The measles virus is currently causing large national and international outbreaks of measles and a lack of vaccination, combined with domestic and international travel, has resulted in the spread of illness,” said Dr. Catherine Brown, Massachusetts state epidemiologist. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from this disease.”According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 387 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 15 states from Jan. 1 to March 28. The CDC said this is the second-highest number of cases reported in the United States since measles was eliminated in 2000.The Department of Public Health said those who have not been immunized or do not know their measles immunization status should get vaccinated with at least one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. Measles vaccines given within 72 hours of exposure may prevent measles disease, and vaccination beyond this window will provide protection from subsequent exposures. The DPH, local health departments and health care providers are working to contact individuals at high risk for exposure.Those who were exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their health care provider before visiting an office, clinic or emergency department, the DPH said.Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the initial symptoms develop. The rash usually appears first on the head and then moves downward. The rash typically lasts a few days and then disappears in the same order in which it appeared. People with measles may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears. The CDC recommends children should receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. School-aged children need two doses of the vaccine.According to the CDC, adults should have at least one dose of the vaccine and certain groups need two doses. Those at a higher risk of developing measles include international travelers, health care workers and college students. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles due to previous exposure.For additional information, contact your local health department or the DPH at 617-983-6899. You can find more information about measles by visiting the DPH website.