Measles outbreak causes Allina Health to restrict visitors

Allina Health is restricting visitors to hospitals and clinics as a result of the current measles outbreak that has affected 44 people in Minnesota.

In a press release, Allina Health mentioned the new guidelines were meant to protect patients, visitors, volunteers and staff throughout their 12 hospitals and more than 90 clinics.

Unless seeking care, children under age five are asked not to visit the hospitals or birthing centers. Exceptions will be made based on a patient's condition.

Whether visiting or seeking care, all children age 10 and under are required to wear a mask. Anyone with a cough or sore throat should also be masked while in the hospital.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through coughing or sneezing. It can also live up to two hours in the air of where an infected person coughed or sneezed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of non-immune people close to someone with measles will contract the virus.

Typical symptoms include high fever, cough and a runny nose.

Allina Health's hospitals include:

Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis

Buffalo Hospital

Cambridge Medical Center

District One Hospital, Faribault

Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids

Mercy Hospital - Unity Campus, Fridley

New Ulm Medical Center

Owatonna Hospital

Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis

Regina Hospital, Hastings

River Falls Area Hospital, River Falls, Wis.

St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee

United Hospital, St. Paul

For a list of clinics see here.