Riverstone Health warns of potential measles exposure at Billings hospital
BILLINGS, Mont. - A person who was at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital on Sunday was confirmed to have tested positive for measles, according to RiverStone Health, potentially exposing others who were in the hospital lobby elevators. RiverStone Health said the individual is not a resident of Yellowstone County. "Out of an abundance caution, anyone who used the hospital's front main lobby elevators between 9:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, is asked to contact RiverStone Health Public Health at 406.247.3305," RiverStone Health said. Anyone who is immune to measles is not a risk, according to the health agency. "Those who were in this area and are not immune can receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by 9:40 p.m. on November 11. PEP can help prevent measles or reduce the severity of symptoms," RiverStone Health said. Symptoms of measles can take up to 21 days to appear, according to RiverStone Health, and include runny nose, fever, rash, watery eyes and spots in the mouth. "People who are vaccinated can still become infected with the disease after exposure, although this is uncommon," RiverStone Health said. "When it occurs, symptoms are typically milder."
