Pennsylvania measles outbreak
Seven cases confirmed in past month
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as of January 5, there have been seven cases of measles diagnosed in Pennsylvania since December 6, 2023.
Six of these cases were epidemiologically linked and from southeastern Pennsylvania. One case was in northcentral Pennsylvania and not epidemiologically linked to the other cases
The index person, an infant too young to be vaccinated, in the southeastern Pennsylvania outbreak acquired measles while traveling abroad and then the virus was transmitted in healthcare (the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) and childcare settings.
The northcentral Pennsylvania person was unrelated, and the illness was acquired while living abroad.
All the identified people with measles were unvaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
Measles disease is characterized by:
• Fever, cough, runny nose (coryza) and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis);
• Koplik’s spots, which may appear on the buccal mucosa within two or three days;
• A characteristic red, blotchy rash that appears on the face and then spreads body-wide in days three through seven after symptoms onset.
• Other symptoms may include anorexia, lymphadenopathy, and diarrhea (especially in infants)
Measles can cause health complications (possible complications of measles include otitis media, pneumonia, febrile seizures, and encephalitis), including hospitalization and death.
Historically, January through May is the peak time for importation of measles infections to the United States.
The best way to prevent measles is through routine vaccination with the MMR vaccine.