Allegheny County Health Department Announces First Confirmed Allegheny County Resident Case of Measles
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has identified an Allegheny County resident who has tested positive for measles. The individual, an unvaccinated minor under 18 years old, is recovering at home. There were no school related exposures. For privacy reasons, the department cannot provide additional details about the individuals.
People who visited the Target at 9805 McKnight Rd (Pine Creek Shopping Center), on Thursday, October 1 between 3:45 PM – 5:45 PM may have been exposed to this individual.
Individuals who are not vaccinated are most at-risk for infection. Any unvaccinated individuals concerned that they were exposed at the Target on McKnight Road on October 1 should 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. People previously vaccinated in Pennsylvania may be able to check their vaccination status on the state’s website. 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.
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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