A person infected with measles dined at La Mediterranee restaurant in Berkeley last week, exposing hundreds of fellow diners to the infectious virus, a city health spokeswoman said Thursday.
The adult, a San Mateo resident, visited the popular Berkeley restaurant Feb. 20, between 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Health officials said the person had not developed the telltale rash and was unaware of the infection. Symptoms can develop between 7 and 21 days after exposure to the virus.
Also on Thursday, BART officials warned that more than 1,000 riders may have been exposed to measles when an infected person rode the train last week, getting on a Richmond-bound train at Millbrae and getting off at Civic Center. The person was also described as a San Mateo resident, although privacy laws make it impossible to know if it is the same one.
California has reported at least 126 cases of measles statewide, including 17 in the Bay Area.
People who have received at least two doses of the vaccine have a 99 percent rate of protection, while infants, pregnant women and people with impaired immunity face the highest risk of catching the airborne virus, Berkeley health officials said.
Janet Berreman, Berkeley's health officer, encouraged residents to check their vaccination records to make sure they and their children have received both of the required doses of the vaccine.
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