Measles-infected man exposes newborn babies, moms while visiting Calif. maternity ward

The Fresno County Department of Health said this week that it was taking steps to notify people that they may have been exposed to the measles by a man who visited a maternity ward, and other locations.

KFSN reported that health officials confirmed that a man in his 40s visited the Community Regional Medical Center's labor and deliver floor twice while he was infected with measles. The two visits were said to have occurred on Thursday, January 22 at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 25 at 9:00 p.m.

“At this time we do not have an exact figure of those exposed at our location.” Dr. Thomas Utecht, chief medical and quality officer at the hospital, said on Wednesday. “We are checking vaccination records of staff in these areas to make sure they are protected.”

Officials said that the man also visited the Build A Bear and Disney stores at Fashion Fair Mall, and a WinCo Foods store on January 25.

The man, who was a visitor to the Fresno area, had returned to his hometown, officials said.

Department of Public Health assistant director David Luchini said that "there could be a link" to the recent measles outbreak at Disneyland.

Although most healthy adults recover from the measles, the virus is extremely contagious and can be deadly to weaker populations, making the maternity ward exposures troubling for health officials.

Fresno County Health Officer Dr. Kenneth Bird pointed out that vaccinations were the best way to prevent the spread of the measles.

But in recent years, an anti-vaccine movement has led to a reduction in measles vaccinations, and a surging number of infections.

Watch the videos below from KFSN and the Fresno County Department of Health.