Measles Exposure Possible At These Eastern PA Locations, Health Officials Warn

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials in Philadelphia are warning the public of locations at which they may have been exposed to measles recently. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Pennsylvania Department of Health said measles exposure may have been possible at a few area locations.

The first is South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center, 1700 South Broad St. and the exposure was reported Friday between 10:45 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. and Saturday between 9:05 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. This building includes CHOP Pediatric Primary Care South Philadelphia, Health Department Health Center #2, and the South Philadelphia Library, though there were no potential exposures in the library, health officials said.

The second is CHOP Emergency Department, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard on Monday from 7:55 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

This measles case was exposed while traveling abroad and is not connected with the recent measles case identified in Montgomery County, or cases in other parts of the country.

Anyone who was potentially exposed at any of the previously listed locations during the indicated times should determine if they are immune from measles. Those who are protected from measles do not have to do anything. Measles vaccine is extremely effective at preventing measles, health officials said.

People who are not protected from measles but are exposed should quarantine for 21 days after the exposure. If someone who is quarantining due to measles must go out, they should wear a mask the entire time they are out. Wearing a mask won’t completely prevent spread, but it will help lower the chances of them spreading measles to others, health officials recommend.

Unprotected people who were at the CHOP Emergency Department on Monday during the times listed above should receive a dose of MMR vaccine before Thursday, The Health Department advised. If you do not receive an MMR vaccine, you will need to stay home for 21 days, the health department said.

For unprotected people who were at the South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center on Friday during the times listed above: contact your healthcare provider and stay at home until March 27.

Lastly, unprotected people who were at the South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center on Saturday during the times listed above should contact your healthcare provider and stay at home until Friday, March 28.

Anyone who is unprotected should contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Measles is a virus that spreads very easily from person to person among unvaccinated people. Anyone with measles can spread the virus to others who are not immune through direct contact with respiratory droplets, or through droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing.

The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and puffy eyes, followed by rash. Measles is contagious for four days before to four days after the rash starts. In some people, including infants and those with weakened immune systems, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection, or death.

"We believe there is no threat to the general public associated with this case of measles," Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said. "We know that this measles case is not associated with either the recent case in Montgomery County or the ongoing outbreak in Texas. As vaccination rates across the country continue to drop, there are more and more opportunities for people who cannot be vaccinated to be exposed to this deadly disease. That’s why it is critical for everyone who needs to be protected from measles to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

Anyone under 12 months of age, pregnant and not immune, or are immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) and were at any of the exposure locations should consult with their healthcare providers as soon as possible.

Those who develop any measles-like symptoms through March 31 should contact their doctors immediately.

Anyone who believed they may have been exposed to measles should notify their doctors and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health by calling 215-685-6740, then pressing option 5.

Residents looking for vaccine opportunities for their children should visit the Health Department’s Get Vaccinated webpage or talk with their pediatrician. Residents who may be traveling in the future should visit the Health Department’s Travel Vaccines webpage or talk with their healthcare provider. Residents who do not know if they were vaccinated can request their Philadelphia-based vaccine records by requesting immunization records through the Health Department.