Officials with the Sumter Family YMCA have notified members of a potential measles exposure at the facility as state health officials continue investigating a confirmed case involving a Sumter County resident.
In a letter sent to members Wednesday, YMCA CEO Missy Corrigan said the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) notified the organization that an individual who later tested positive for measles was present in the facility’s youth department area on Jan. 26 between 9 a.m. and noon.
The YMCA advised members who were in or around the youth area during that timeframe to review their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms. Officials said the risk of exposure is considered low for individuals fully vaccinated with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, though measles remains highly contagious.
DPH previously confirmed a measles case involving a Sumter County resident in its Tuesday statewide outbreak update. However, agency officials release updates on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the YMCA exposure timeframe fell outside the period covered in Tuesday’s report.
DPH has not released additional details linking the facility exposure to any specific case.
The agency also previously identified several Sumter businesses where potential exposures may have occurred, including Mariachis Mexican Restaurant on Jan. 23, Food Lion on Broad Street Extension on Jan. 24 and Walmart Neighborhood Market on Pinewood Road on Jan. 25.
Measles symptoms typically develop seven to 12 days after exposure but may appear up to 21 days later. Early symptoms include cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and fever, followed by a rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward across the body.
DPH advises individuals who believe they may have been exposed and develop symptoms such as fever of 101 degrees or higher, cough, runny nose or red eyes — with or without rash — to call a healthcare provider before seeking in-person care.
Health officials continue to emphasize vaccination as the best protection against measles. The MMR vaccine is available through healthcare providers, pharmacies and local health departments.
The Sumter case remains under investigation, and additional exposure notifications may be released as health officials continue contact tracing efforts.
