Child on Martha’s Vineyard Diagnosed With Measles

An unvaccinated child visiting from another state has been diagnosed with the measles on Martha's Vineyard.

Officials say people on the island were exposed to the virus during a phase of the illness in which the patient was infectious, but had no symptoms.

Known times and dates of exposures are listed below, although other exposures are likely to have occurred, as well.

• West Tisbury Public Library, June 8, from 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Aquinnah Library, June 9, from 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Thursday June 11 from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Martha's Vineyard Airport Laundromat in West Tisbury, June 12, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sharky's Cantina in Oak Bluffs, June 16, 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
• Ryan's Family Amusements in Oak Bluffs, June 16, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (closes at midnight)

People who were at these locations during the exposure period, who have not been vaccinated, were not born before 1957, or have not had measles in the past, or do not have blood work indicating immunity to the disease, should contact their primary care physician for instructions.

"A widespread outbreak of measles in Massachusetts is unlikely, largely due to the fact that over 95% of students in Massachusetts have already been vaccinated against the illness," says Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of Public Health. "As most measles cases in the U.S. have been among unvaccinated people and people who don't know their vaccination status, it is important for people to confirm their immunization status with their healthcare provider, and for parents to have their children vaccinated with the measles vaccine (called MMR), which is safe and highly effective."

Martha's Vineyard Hospital will be holding a measles immunization clinic in the doctor's wing of the old hospital on June 24 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. It will be free of charge.