Unvaccinated people who visited Denver Health’s emergency department on Sunday should monitor themselves for signs of measles after a sick child received care there.
The patient, an infant under one year old, contracted measles during a visit to an area of Chihuahua, Mexico, that is currently experiencing an outbreak, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, which on Monday evening announced confirmation of Colorado’s second measles case of 2025.
Denver Health discharged the baby home, where they are doing well, according to the health department.
People who visited Denver Health’s emergency department, 777 Bannock St., between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday could have been exposed to measles. Symptoms can take up to 21 days to appear, so any exposed person who isn’t vaccinated should avoid public gatherings for three weeks, according to the health department.
“This case is a stark reminder that families traveling internationally should delay unnecessary travel or talk to their health care providers about early (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination for infants, especially when visiting areas with known measles outbreaks,” state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said in a news release.
The Denver case isn’t related to a case in Pueblo in an unvaccinated adult who also visited Mexico. That person visited Southwest Deli and Cafe in south Pueblo from March 17 to 21, as well as the Southern Colorado Clinic in Pueblo West and the South Side Walmart in Pueblo on March 22.
Initial symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. The distinctive measles rash doesn’t appear until the person has already been contagious for about four days. People who could have been exposed and have symptoms should call their health care provider before coming in, so the provider can take precautions to avoid exposing others.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles. People who survived it also generally have lifelong protection. Doctors don’t recommend trying to get measles, though, because of the risk of pneumonia, neurological damage and death.
Two children and one adult have died this year in outbreaks in west Texas and New Mexico.
Vitamin A may be useful in treating children who have measles, but it doesn’t prevent infection. Parents shouldn’t give vitamin A without a doctor’s supervision, because giving too much can cause liver damage.
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Children can receive their first measles shot at about 1 year old and their second between 4 and 6. Babies who are going to travel abroad can receive an early shot from six months on.
As of Friday, the United States already had twice as many measles cases as it did in all of 2024. Most are in Texas, where 481 people caught the virus and 56 needed hospital care.