Atrius Health has confirmed a case of measles at its Harvard Vanguard Wellesley practice on Rte. 9. The infected person is not a Wellesley resident.
“Atrius Health’s first priority is to ensure the health and safety of our patients. We had one confirmed adult case of measles infection at our Harvard Vanguard Wellesley practice and worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. All exposed patients and staff were swiftly identified and contacted as part of our control efforts,” according to a statement by Dr. Preeti Mehrotra, MPH, Atrius Health Medical Director of Infection Control.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Monday announced that a person was diagnosed with the contagious disease “in greater Boston on Sunday, March 31, 2019. During the infectious period, the individual went to locations where other people may have been exposed.” The press release mentions Framingham, Waltham, Plymouth, Braintree and Hyannis, but not Wellesley.
But the cases are one in the same. The state leaves it to healthcare facilities to handle their own notifications.
“The measles virus is currently causing large national and international outbreaks of measles and a lack of vaccination, combined with domestic and international travel, has resulted in the spread of illness,” said Dr. Catherine Brown, Massachusetts State Epidemiologist, in a statement. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from this disease.”
Anyone who is not immune or unsure if they are and visited any of the locations cited by the state is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.
A measles scare at the same Wellesley facility took place 5 years ago.
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