Suspected cases of measles in Bucks County have triggered an investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Health – authorities say Lancaster County may also be linked. Health authorities in Pennsylvania say there is a chance some people may have been exposed to the virus it various locations.

The following locations and times have been listed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health:

  • April 19. Tanger Outlet Center, Lancaster County, 11am-midday
  • April 19. Bird in Hand Bake Shop, Lancaster County, 11:30am-5:30pm
  • April 19. Riehl’s Quilts and Crafts, Lancaster County, 11:30am-5:30pm
  • April 19. Lapp’s Wooden Toys, Lancaster County, 11:30am-5:30pm

The majority of Americans have immunity against measles, either because they were infected before vaccines existed or received the MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine when they were children.

There are some people, though, who can become infected, and they include:

  • Infants less than 12 months old (they have not been vaccinated yet)
  • In 1963-1967 some people received an inactivated vaccine. People who received these and were never revaccinated
  • Individuals who have only had one MMR vaccine dose and were born after 1957
  • People coming in from areas around the world were vaccination rates are low, or measles is common

If any member of your household is at risk of measles and develops measles-like symptoms up to two weeks after exposure to the virus, contact your doctor and follow their advice.

In a communiqué, the Pennsylvania Department of Health wrote:

“Any health care provider who suspects measles should immediately call their local health department or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH for consultation and to arrange testing.

Measles signs and symptoms may include a high fever, watery eyes, a runny nose, and a few days later a red rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downwards. The rash is usually gone within four to seven days.

An infected person can pass the measles on to other people four days before the rash appears and four days after it begins. The disease can spread via coughing, sneezing, direct contact with nasal and throat secretions, and even talking directly in front of an infected person. Contaminated surfaces can be infectious for up to two hours.

Some people are at risk of measles complications, which may include pneumonia, ear infection, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), diarrhea, and even death. Infected pregnant mothers are at a higher risk of premature delivery and miscarriage.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health

Written by Christian Nordqvist