Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Thursday, August 07, 2008

Child has measles, may have exposed others

ST. PAUL (AP) — The Minnesota Health Department is reporting that a young child in Hennepin County has measles and others may have been exposed.

Officials said a 10-month-old child has tested positive for the first case of measles that can't be traced to foreign travel since 2001. The child was born in the U.S. and has not traveled recently.

The child had not been vaccinated because measles vaccinations usually are given starting at age 1.

State health officials are asking health care workers to watch for measles cases in the coming weeks.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease whose symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes followed by a rash.

Those who may have been exposed should limit contact with others and call ahead before going to a health care facility to avoid spreading the illness.

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