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The Office of Developmental Programs has shared this important announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) related to possible exposure to an individual positive for measles.
On October 11, the Pennsylvania DOH was notified by the New Jersey DOH that Pennsylvania residents could have been exposed to measles.
The New Jersey Health Department’s confirmed measles case is a resident of Monmouth County who presented with measles following recent international travel. The individual developed a rash and was subsequently confirmed to have measles via positive measles PCR results. He visited several healthcare facilities and public venues while infectious for measles.
DOH notes that anyone who visited the following New Jersey locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed and should contact a health care provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness.
Potentially exposed individuals, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as October 29, 2024.
When to Suspect Measles
Consider measles as a diagnosis in anyone with a febrile rash illness lasting three days or more, a temperature of 101ºF (38.3ºC) or higher, and clinically compatible symptoms (cough, coryza, and/or conjunctivitis), particularly if the patient was potentially exposed to a case of measles or has recently traveled to an area with an on-going measles outbreak and are not fully vaccinated.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared a Health Alert regarding possible measles exposure. The department is sharing this with stakeholders for awareness. You can view the alert for further information on measles, including symptoms, prevention methods, and available resources.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has reported that currently there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio. The first case was identified October 22, 2022, and as of December 20, there are over 80 confirmed cases. There is concern that there will be cases spreading into neighboring states, including Pennsylvania.
The measles outbreak in Ohio, combined with the predicted seasonal increase in internationally-imported measles cases, is of special concern. In the United States, most cases of measles occur in people who have travelled abroad and import measles into the United States. Typically, the number of these cases increases from midwinter through spring.
Read the Health Alert to learn more.