Foreign visitor to Wal-Mart meeting hospitalized; Ark Health Department investigating

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Rash by Wal-Mart attendee prompts vaccinations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Health Department is trying to determine whether measles caused an illness to a foreign visitor to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s weeklong gathering for its shareholders meeting in Fayetteville.

The person was hospitalized Thursday after exhibiting some symptoms that indicate measles. That was the day before Wal-Mart’s main meeting at Walton Arena.

As a precaution, the Health Department says it immunized 148 people who may have been exposed.

Measles cases are rare in the United States because of high vaccination rates. Arkansas reported two cases in 2008 and had no cases in 2009. The agency says almost all U.S. cases are linked to foreign travel or immigration.

Officials didn’t say where the ill person was from.