43°
The patient is an unvaccinated child, and the Office of Public Health is conducting contact tracing "in coordination with (...) the child’s guardian," authorities said in a release Friday, July 28.
"Identified individuals will be contacted and notified of potential exposure to measles and assess each individual’s vaccination status and risk for infection," said MCOPH.
The measles virus can remain infectious on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours after exposure, authorities note.
The patient was confirmed to have been in the following locations at the listed times, and anyone who visited these sites during that period may have been exposed, health officials said:
- Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room, 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, on July 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Costco Wholesale, 740 Upper State Road, North Wales, on July 20 from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Emergency Department, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, on July 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Walmart Supercenter, 1515 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield, on July 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Middleman Family Pavilion Emergency Department, 550 S. Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, on July 23, from 9:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
The first symptoms usually develop around one or two weeks after infection and can include cold-like symptoms, sore or red eyes, and a high fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Residents who suspect they might have been exposed should check their immunization and medical records to see if they are protected against measles. Those who have never been immunized are advised to speak with their healthcare provider about receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization, MCOPH said.
Contact your provider immediately if you have been exposed and are pregnant, have an infant, have a weakened immune system, or are unvaccinated.
Exposed residents should monitor themselves for symptoms over the next three weeks, especially fever or unexplained rash. If symptoms develop, stay home and call your provider immediately.
For more, visit the Montgomery County website or CDC.gov.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Reading and receive free news updates.
