Allegheny County Health Department Potential Measles Exposure Statement
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) was just informed an individual who was at the UPMC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department (4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224) on two different occasions (August 12 and August 18) has tested positive for measles. The individual was not from Allegheny County and the health department has confirmed with UPMC that the individual is currently isolated. For privacy reasons, the department cannot provide additional details about the individual.
UPMC will be calling patients who have been identified as exposed on those two days with further instructions.
Individuals who are not vaccinated are most at-risk for infection. ACHD advises any individual in the exposure area who does has not had two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine to call their healthcare provider for next steps. It is very important for individuals who think they may have been exposed to not directly go to a healthcare facility without calling ahead. For anyone that is unsure, ACHD recommends they check their vaccination status. Individuals who have received only one dose of the vaccine, instead of the recommended two doses, may still be susceptible to the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and spreads when an infected person breaths, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, even after the infected person leaves the area.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head or face and spreads downward. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. An individual with measles can spread the virus to others four days before and four days after the rash begins.
People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider. Residents in Allegheny County who are concerned about a potential exposure should contact ACHD at 412-578-8062. Any residents in Pennsylvania who are concerned about a potential exposure should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). Pennsylvanians can access the measles dashboard, current guidance, and additional information at pa.gov/measles.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is given to toddlers when they are 12 to 15 months of age, and a second MMR vaccine is required for all Pennsylvania school children.
The Health Department recommends that any person who is due for measles vaccination make arrangements to receive it from their medical provider. Persons without health insurance may receive the vaccine at the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic at 425 First Ave in Downtown Pittsburgh. There is no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for individuals who are uncertain but may have already received it.
MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
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The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home.
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