(Credit: Montgomery County HHS OPH)
The child was on a China Airlines JFK Airport shuttle bus, and visited health centers in King of Prussia and Plymouth Meeting.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health is currently investigating a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated child from Montgomery County.
The OPH is working with local healthcare systems and the child’s guardians to trace potential contacts and inform those who may have been exposed. Individuals at specific locations during the child’s infectious period are being contacted, assessed for vaccination status, and evaluated for potential risk of infection, the OPH said.
The child visited several locations during their infectious period, including a China Airlines airport shuttle bus, True North Pediatrics Associates of Plymouth, and the CHOP King of Prussia campus emergency department. These visits occurred from Feb. 25 to Feb. 26, and anyone at these locations during the specified times may have been exposed to the measles virus. Additional details on exposure risks related to air travel will be provided as soon as possible.
The following locations were visited by the child during their infectious period:
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, according to the OPH. People who breathe in contaminated air or touch infected surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth are at risk of contracting the disease.
Those who may have been exposed should review their immunization records and consult with a healthcare provider about their measles vaccination status or the possibility of receiving the MMR vaccine, per the OPH.
In the event of exposure, individuals should monitor for symptoms such as fever (100.4°F or higher) that lasts for several days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and watery eyes (conjunctivitis), per the OPH.
Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots called 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 seven to 14 days on average after exposure, but can be as long as 21 days, according to OPH.
If symptoms develop, it is important to stay home and contact a healthcare provider immediately, according to the OPH.
Measles is a reportable disease in Pennsylvania, and anyone suspecting they have measles should call their healthcare provider before visiting in person to prevent further exposure.
According to the county OPH, measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, and immunity is confirmed for those who were born before 1957, have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, or have had a previous measles infection. Certain groups, including infants, partially vaccinated children, and individuals with weakened immune systems, are more vulnerable to the virus.
Those unable to verify their immunity status should consult with their healthcare provider to discuss protective measures. OPH continues to offer support for testing, disease management, and vaccination recommendations, it said.
For questions, call OPH at 610.278.5117. For more information about measles, visit here. To find information about immunizations visit here.
