Contact: Alice Warchol at (757) 668-9049
or email Alice.Warchol@CHKD.org
Health System Opens Information Phone Line for Patient Families to Call
NORFOLK, Va. – Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters is providing information to patients, families and visitors who may have visited two of our locations where there was a potential exposure to measles, a highly contagious virus.
The potential exposures occurred in the following CHKD locations and times:
- CHKD Health Center and Urgent Care located at 3960 Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach, on Wednesday, August 27, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
- CHKD Hospital/Emergency Department located at 601 Children’s Lane in Norfolk
- Emergency Department: Saturday, August 30, between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Select areas of the hospital from Saturday, August 30 at 6 p.m. to Monday, September 1, at 6 p.m.
CHKD is in the process of reaching out to patients and families who may have been exposed. Additionally, CHKD opened an information phone line for patient families to call if they have questions or concerns that their child may have been exposed to the virus. The phone number is (757) 668-9742.
Anyone who has been vaccinated for measles with two doses of the MMR vaccine or was born prior to 1957 is fully protected against measles. A single dose of the MMR vaccine is over 93% effective. Individuals other than patients and parents who visited CHKD at the above dates, times, and locations and are not protected against measles are encouraged to contact the Norfolk Health Department or their healthcare providers. They should also keep a watchful eye for symptoms of measles.
In its initial stages, measles shares symptoms with many other illnesses: fever, runny nose and cough. However, measles also causes a flat red rash that starts on the head and moves down to the trunk, arms and legs approximately three to five days after other symptoms start.
People who are infected may spread the virus to others four days before they develop a rash. Measles is especially dangerous to children and babies who are too young for vaccination and those with compromised immune systems.
“Vaccination saves lives and prevents illness,” said Dr. Chris Foley, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer at CHKD. “The measles vaccine is very effective and very safe.”
Pediatricians recommend children receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 to 15 months and again at 4 to 6 years. Each dose of MMR lowers the risk of infection and the severity of illness for children who become infected.
- If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their immunizations, contact your pediatrician.
- The MMR vaccine is available through your CHKD pediatrician’s office. CHKD does not provide the MMR vaccine in our urgent care centers or emergency department.
A link to video interviews is available upon request for media use.