KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Tennessee Department of Health identified two East Tennessee locations and time frames in which people could have been exposed to measles.
200 Browns Ferry Road, Chattanooga
April 11, 2019 from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
2148 North Charles G. Seivers Blvd.,
Clinton April 12, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
TDH said they are identifying and notifying individuals who may have been exposed to measles by the infected person who passed through the state.
Officials said more than 600 people are on the list of those who may have been exposed to the virus.
“Most people in Tennessee are vaccinated against measles and are protected against this illness,”said TDH State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD.
“This appearance of measles is a reminder about the importance of vaccines in protecting our population, and we urge everyone who has not been vaccinated to do so now to protect themselves, their families, their coworkers, and their communities.”
One mom isn't concerned. Beth Thurman had her two kids vaccinated.
"If my kids weren't vaccinated, I'd have a lot of regrets,"said Thurman.
"My kids are vaccinated, so I have no problem because they're not going to get it, even if they were exposed to it."
By far most children in the U.S. are vaccinated, but a growing number of parents fear vaccines could cause other health problems.
Dr. Eric Penniman said social media is causing some parents to make dangerous choices.
"Here in the United States, there's a big movement to undermine the health of our country by giving misinformation out there,"said Penniman.
"So, Google and Facebook are not reliable sources for information on vaccinations."
According to a previous report, a person diagnosed with measles traveled from Tennessee through the state of Mississippi between April 9 and April 11.
The contacted individuals will have to answer a series of questions to determine their level of vulnerability.
The health department will then provide guidance to each individual depending on their circumstances.
"It would be really hard as a parent to see your kid suffering, if you know you could have prevented it,"said Thurman.