Visitors passing through a Monarch Pass gift shop the evening of July 25, may have been exposed to an out-of-state traveler with measles and should watch for symptoms, the Colorado health department said Friday.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment worked with Chaffee County Public Health to confirm the measles case. Anyone who was at the Monarch Mountain at the Crest Gift Shop from 4:30 to 7 p.m. July 25 may have been exposed to the person and should remain watchful, state officials said.
The state recommends that anyone with potential exposure to a confirmed case should avoid large gatherings or other close-contact situations until 21 days from the exposure. “Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads,” the state release said.
Throughout the flurry of measles cases in the Southwest this year, Colorado officials have noted that while measles is highly contagious and can cause serious health issues, it is a highly preventable disease through vaccines. Colorado recommends that adults check on their last vaccine dates and get themselves or their children updated if necessary, with the MMR, or measles-mumps-rubella combined vaccine.
Under the timelines of the Monarch Crest case, fellow visitors should be alert for symptoms through Aug. 15, the state said. The gift shop is at 24500 U.S. 50, about 20 miles west of Salida, just up the road from the entrance to Monarch ski area.
Anyone worried about symptoms should call ahead to their provider so that further exposure of others will be limited. More information is available at the CDPHE measles webpage. There have been 16 confirmed measles cases in Colorado this year, with 10 of them coming from travelers exposed on plane flights or at Denver International Airport.