Measles Exposure Possible For Bryn Mawr Hospital Patients, Staff

BRYN MAWR, PA — A local child who has a confirmed case of measles, and people who visited Bryn Mawr Hospital recently may have been exposed.

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is investigating the confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated Montgomery County child.

According to officials, the child was at the Bryn Mawr Hospital emergency room from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20 while infectious.

County health investigators are completing contact tracing in coordination with the identified healthcare systems and the child’s guardian.

Identified individuals will be contacted and notified of potential exposure to measles and assess each individual’s vaccination status and risk for infection.

Measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

Other locations where people may have been exposed are:

Costco Wholesale, 740 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA 19454
July 20 from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Emergency Department, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104
July 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Walmart Supercenter, 1515 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield, PA 19440
July 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Middleman Family Pavilion Emergency Department
550 S. Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, PA 19406
July 23 from 9:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Those who believe they were exposed should:

• Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles.
• People who have not had measles infection previously or who have not received the measles immunization may not be protected from the measles virus and should talk with a health care provider about receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.
• Contact and notify their healthcare provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, have an infant (child under the age of 1 year old), have a weakened immune system, and/or are not vaccinated.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop). If symptoms develop, stay at home and call a healthcare provider immediately.

For individuals who are properly immunized against measles, your risk for getting disease is minimal.

Measles is an extremely contagious virus that lives in the mucus membranes of the nose and throat of infected people.

Measles can be transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing.

If a healthy person breathes the contaminated air or touches an infected surface, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth they can become infected.

When an infected person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air and those droplets can contain active and contagious virus which will last in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

Measles typically begins with a fever (100.4F or higher) that lasts for several days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and watery eyes (conjunctivitis).

Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear in the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a flat red spotted rash appears beginning on face at the hairline and spreads downwards to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

The flat red spots may also be joined by small raised bumps. Symptoms appear about 7-14 days on average after exposure but can be as long as 21 days.

The following groups of people are potentially susceptible to measles:

• Infants who are too young to have been immunized (less than one year of age).
• Children who are only partially vaccinated (less than 6 years old).
• Persons who were vaccinated with an unknown type of vaccine, which was used from 1963 through 1967, and have not been revaccinated.
• Some persons born after 1957 who have only received one dose of vaccine.
• Those who have refused vaccination.
• Those from areas of the world where there is low vaccine coverage, or currently circulating measles.
• Immune-compromised persons, such as organ transplant recipients, patients receiving chemotherapy and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Individuals are considered to be immune to measles if any of the following applies:

• They were born in 1957 or earlier.
• They have had 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• They have had measles disease.

Individuals who do not meet the above criteria and cannot verify their immune status should consult with their primary healthcare provider.

Measles is a reportable disease in Pennsylvania.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the disease or are showing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider prior to seeking care.

Healthcare providers should report suspected cases of measles immediately to Montgomery County Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117 or after hours at 610-635-4300.

Measles is preventable with two doses of MMR vaccine, which is available at your local healthcare provider or pharmacy.

Montgomery County Office of Public Health can assist by providing recommendations for testing and provide recommendations of outbreak prevention and management.

For questions, call the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117.

To find information about immunizations can go online here.