A California hospital sent a warning to 200 people who may have been exposed to measles in the waiting room of its emergency department.
Add Measles as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Measles news, video, and analysis from ABC News.
A medical assistant holds a box of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine vials at the International Community Health Services clinic in Seattle, March 20, 2019.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes measles as a disease that lives in the nose and throat and spread by coughing or sneezing. Measles can live in the air for two hours after someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. Outbreaks of the disease often begin when people become infected outside of the U.S. and then return but it is also easily spread in areas with people who haven't received the MMR vaccine.
The disease generally appears seven to 14 days after someone is infected, according to the CDC, with symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and rash with red spots. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 months and then another dose between 4 to 6 years old. Adults who haven't been vaccinated should also speak to their doctor about getting the MMR vaccine.