Measles exposure in a Delaware children’s hospital emergency room
Officials are working on contact tracing to notify those affected
People visiting the emergency room at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington on Wednesday might have been exposed to measles, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Officials are working on contact tracing to notify those who could be affected, and to verify their vaccination status, provide educational resources, and recommend quarantine if needed.
A highly contagious illness, measles can infect 90% of exposed unvaccinated people. Delaware residents can check their vaccine status at the DelVAX Public Portal or through their healthcare provider.
The Delaware Division of Public Health recommends a dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine within 72 hours of exposure. Pharmacies and primary care providers can help access the vaccine.
As an airborne virus, measles can be spread through coughs, sneezes, and saliva particles. Those particles can linger in the air and nearby surfaces for more than two hours, exposing anyone who might have been in the room.
Officials urge people to keep a 21-day watch on their symptoms — which could include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a red rash — until March 11.
Measles can be particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people, such as organ-transplant and chemotherapy patients, people living with HIV/AIDS, and children under 5.
No matter their vaccination status, pregnant people who might have been exposed are encouraged to go to the emergency room as soon as possible for a checkup and possible treatment.
Delaware is not the only state dealing with a measles comeback.
Last week, a possible measles exposure was detected at Philadelphia International Airport. And on Feb. 5, five cases were confirmed in Lancaster County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. All patients were young adults and school-age children, marking the first outbreak of the year.
Meanwhile, South Carolina is currently dealing with a large outbreak that doctors call the worst in 30 years, Reuters reported.
The illness can lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death. Of every 1,000 children infected with measles, between one and three will die, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
People who have been vaccinated, those who have already had measles, or were born before 1957 are considered immune.