Advisory Issued after Out-of-State Measles Patient Visits OC

Current measles cases across Maryland counties; Image Courtesy of Johns Hopkins University

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Maryland Department of Health is alerting residents about a potential measles exposure after an individual from another state with measles visited several locations in Ocean City.

Health officials say anyone who visited the following locations during the listed dates and hours may have been exposed:

• Casablanca Oceanside Inn (2408 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842) from 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 3, through 12:00 p.m. on Sept. 6
• Buona Vita Pizzeria (2100 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842) on Sept. 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Bonfire Restaurant (7009 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842) on Sept. 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infectious person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area. The disease is also spread by direct contact and by touching infected surfaces.

The announcement comes just days after the Delaware Department of Public Health also issued an advisory for an out-of-state individual with measles who traveled through the greater Rehoboth Beach area on Sept. 4.

People who were in the affected area on the specified dates should watch for early symptoms of measles for 21 days after potential exposure. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose and pink eye lasting two to four days before the rash appears. The rash typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin, usually starting on the face and spreading down the body. Anyone who develops symptoms and may have been exposed should immediately isolate themselves and contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and possible measles exposure.

Additionally, health professionals urge unvaccinated individuals who get exposed should contact their primary care provider or a public health clinic to obtain an MMR vaccine, which is proven to be 97% effective after two doses. 

To date, Maryland has confirmed 40 measles cases this year, with nine recorded over the past two weeks. No cases have been detected in the mid or lower Eastern Shore at this time.