SAN DIEGO -- A 10-month-old baby may be the latest victim of a measles outbreak, county officials said on Monday.

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Health and Human Services are awaiting test results from the infant, which would make the child the fifth confirmed case of measles in the past week.

County health officials believe the infant contracted measles on Jan. 25, while at a La Jolla doctor's office where the child with the first case of measles reported in the county was receiving care. Originally, three siblings who had not been vaccinated are believed to have contracted measles while traveling to Switzerland with their family.

"Children younger than 12 months of age are at greater risk because they have not received the measles vaccine," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer. "If parents think their child is exhibiting measles symptoms, they should call their doctor immediately and arrange a visit that will not involve contact with other patients," she said.

Public health officials informed parents at the baby's day care, Baldwin Academy, on Monday and are working with the Murray Callan Swim School, both in Pacific Beach, to figure out how many other children may be at risk.

Sixteen children who attend Baldwin Academy are now on home quarantine for two weeks. Three of them had not been vaccinated for measles because their parents opted them out of getting the shot. Thirteen of the students are younger than one year old.

Measles starts out like a cold, with a runny nose, red eyes, a cough, followed by a high fever. Then a blotchy, red rash appears on the head and face that extends to the hands. There can also be red lesions in the mouth, health experts said.

The 10-month-old baby remained hospitalized Monday night but was expected to be released on Tuesday.

This is the first measles outbreak in San Diego County in seventeen years.

"We had a really bad outbreak of measles in 1990, and we actually had three deaths in the county at that time," Wooten said. "More than 900 cases of measles were reported to the health department in 1990," said Dr. Wooten.

Previous Stories:

• February 7, 2008: Fourth Measles Case Recorded At Linda Vista School
• February 5, 2008: Measles Outbreak Worries Health Officials