LIVERMORE — Alameda County health officials said Thursday that a visit to a barbecue restaurant last weekend could have exposed dozens of diners to measles.
In an advisory, staff said people who visited Sauced BBQ & Spirits restaurant, 2300 First Street #120, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on March 23, may be at risk of developing the disease if they are not immune.
At-risk populations include anyone who is not vaccinated or suffers from a weakened immune system, as well as anyone who is pregnant, a health care worker or an infant 12 months old or younger. Exposed members of the public should call a health care provider and the Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-267-3250 by no later than Friday.
“The Alameda County Health Department will assist you and your health care provider to determine if you need preventive treatment with immune globulin,” Alameda County Public Health Department’s interim health officer Dr. Erica Pan said in a statement.
Anyone in the restaurant should keep watch for symptoms, including a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes or a rash that can appear between 7 to 14 days after exposure.
Alameda County learned today of a possible measles exposure in Livermore on March 23, 2019, between 8 and 11 pm at Sauced Restaurant. To check your risk or symptoms please visit https://t.co/AVGB5c0ccf
— Scott Haggerty (@scott_haggerty) March 29, 2019
Complications can include diarrhea, middle ear infection and pneumonia, and one in 1,000 people may develop encephalitis. One or two in 1,000 children face potentially fatal lung or brain complications.
Officials said possibly exposed people should also call ahead before visiting a health care provider to allow for proper precautions for patients and visitors.
Although Alameda County sees high vaccination rates for measles, health officials said Thursday that two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offer full protection, and to visit the department’s Web site to learn the facts about measles immunization.
Recent cases of the disease have drawn attention in California, including a traveler whose South Bay visit this month could have put hundreds of people at risk.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.