Within the counties of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, the population is exposed to measles

According to the Santa Clara County Health Department, the person, who lives in one other state, traveled to a few locations in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties while infectious.

Health officials said members of the general public could have been exposed to the viral illness between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on July 1 at Starbucks at 624 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos, between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on July 1 at Taqueria Los Pericos at 139 Water St. in Santa Cruz, and between 5:15 a.m. and seven:30 a.m. on July 2 at San Jose Mineta International Airport's Terminal B and on Southwest Airlines flight WN 2804.

According to the health department, anyone who visited these locations during these times and dates should check their vaccination record to see in the event that they are protected against measles.

Health authorities also urged all pregnant women, infants, individuals with weakened immune systems or unvaccinated people to contact their doctor immediately.

Finally, based on the health department, residents should look ahead to symptoms seven days to a few weeks after the day of possible infection.

The most typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash. Some people may experience more serious complications.

“Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when someone with measles talks, coughs or sneezes. It is very easy for someone close to the person to become infected,” Dr. Monika Roy, an infection control officer and deputy health officer on the health department, said in a press release.

“Call your doctor immediately if you think you may have been infected,” Roy continued. “Quick action can prevent many more people from getting this serious illness.”

The county health department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health to discover individuals who could have been exposed to measles and supply them with essential treatment.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Roy urged the general public to get vaccinated.

“The good news is that people who get vaccinated against measles are very well protected,” she said, adding that two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles. “That actually reduces your risk dramatically.”

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