Measles Exposure At Magic House, Pizzeria, Hotel, Officials Warn

KIRKWOOD, MO — Anyone who visited The Magic House or Racanelli's New York Pizzeria, both in Kirkwood, Missouri, on March 13 or stayed at Homewood Suites in Chesterfield on March 14 may have been exposed to measles, according to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. Officials are working to notify anyone who may have been exposed and said an investigation is ongoing.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted through the air. Contagious individuals can spread the virus through coughs and sneezes up to four days before the appearance of the disease's characteristic rash, and the virus can stay airborne for up to two hours.

Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash similar to chicken pox with flat red spots starting on the face and neck will appear three to five days after the first symptoms.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed should call their health care provider before going to a doctor's office or hospital, state officials said. This will prevent exposing other patients to the disease.

Heath care providers should report suspected cases to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272, or call your local public health department.

Photo: The skin of a patient after three days of measles infection. (CDC via Getty Images)