Pennsylvania confirms first measles case of the year. Here’s what parents need to know
After Pennsylvania saw its first measles case of the year reported in Montgomery County, Mount Nittany Health in State College is responding to concerns from parents.
In a news release Friday, Mount Nittany Health said it had heard from parents worried about exposure risk for their young children. Their concerns included questions about whether their children could be vaccinated early against the highly contagious virus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children receive the first dose of the two-dose vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. The second dose should be administered when children are between 4 and 6 years old, the release said.
“We have received questions from concerned families about the risks of being unvaccinated, as well as if they can obtain the vaccine early for their children,” Dr. Morgan Decker, a Mount Nittany Health pediatrician, said in the release.
“We follow CDC guidelines and, pending any travel to international countries and/or areas known to be involved in the current outbreaks, we do not offer the MMR or MMRV vaccine early,” Decker said. “If you plan to travel, I recommend reaching out to our clinic for further guidance on if additional doses of either vaccine are necessary.”
Mount Nittany advises, “if your child is the recommended age for the first or second dose of the vaccine and hasn’t received it yet, or if you have travel plans, call Mount Nittany Health to schedule an appointment at 814-231-7000.”
The Montgomery County measles case comes at a time when an outbreak is spreading throughout Texas and New Mexico, infecting at least 223 people and killing at least one. The confirmed Pennsylvania case, however, is not connected to the outbreak in the Southwest and instead stems from international travel, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Measles is a highly contagious virus, and it infects up to 90% of unprotected individuals if they are exposed.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets that can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young, unvaccinated children, possibly leading to brain swelling, pneumonia or death and other serious complications.
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the telltale measles sign is a red, blotchy rash that usually first appears on the face and behind the ears.
The rash then spreads to the chest and back, before finally spreading to the feet. Symptoms typically begin 10 to 14 days following exposure and include the following:
Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye)
Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background that are found in the mouth and inner cheeks. These are called Koplik’s spots.
Call your doctor immediately if you think you or your child may have been exposed or have a rash that looks like measles.
It is important you first call ahead before making a trip to a health care facility so it can be prepared to handle a potentially highly infectious measles case.