Possible measles case in Sitka

A "Closed!" sign was posted on the door to the Sitka Medical Center office at 700 Katlian Street this afternoon. The clinic was closed, and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium healthcare providers conducted screening and response efforts today after receiving a patient who exhibited symptoms associated with measles. (Anna Laffrey/Daily Sitka Sentinel)

By Anna Laffrey

Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitka Medical Center at 700 Katlian Street closed its doors Thursday afternoon after receiving a patient who exhibited symptoms associated with measles, a SEARHC official said today.

Those inside the Sitka Medical Center were kept there this afternoon as medical providers completed protocols geared at tracking the disease.

SEARHC spokesperson Matt Carle issued a statement in an email to the Sentinel:

"As you are likely aware, there have been confirmed measles cases reported in parts of the Pacific Northwest in recent weeks, and health care organizations across the region remain vigilant in screening and response efforts," Carle said.

"SEARHC is currently screening a patient in Sitka with similar symptoms and, out of an abundance of caution, we temporarily closed the Sitka Medical Center this afternoon to allow for appropriate cleaning and infection prevention protocols.

"At this time, no confirmed measles diagnosis has been made. Our clinical teams are following established public health guidance and taking all necessary precautions to protect patients, staff and the community."

Sitka residents Matt Donohoe and Ceri Malein told the Sentinel they were at the clinic about 11:30 a.m. Thursday to get routine care when the office closed.

"While we were there, (SEARHC providers) came in and put on masks and said that we couldn't leave," Donohoe said. "They wouldn't tell us what the thing was. ... But they asked us if we have the measles vaccination."

Donohoe and Malein said SEARHC caregivers took a blood sample from them and all of the other patients who were there. Medical providers also collected samples by swabbing each patient's throat.

"Everyone got sent out wearing an N-95 mask," Malein said.

By 1:20 p.m., a hand-written "Closed" sign was posted on the door of the center, which is on the building's second level.

After leaving the center around 2 p.m., Donohoe and Malein drove up Moller Street to the state public health office, which is closed while the state is seeking a public health nurse to live in Sitka.

Donohoe and Malein said they're wondering what their obligation is, if they were exposed to measles.

"We don't know it's measles, we just assume that," Donohoe said. "We think it's an important public health issue and that the media and the public should know what's going on."

Donohoe and Malein said that SEARHC officials collected their contact information before they left the clinic.

Carle said "additional information will be shared if appropriate as the situation develops," and that SEARHC is working to reschedule appointments with patients affected by the closure.

• This story originally appeared in the Daily Sitka Sentinel.