Four States Identify Measles Outbreak This Year

Throughout the past month, four states, including Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, confirmed measles cases, indicating a potential outbreak and sparking concerns about vaccination rates.

According to a news release published by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on January 16, 2023, the measles outbreak began in Philadelphia in early December. The health department listed multiple locations where people may have been exposed, including Jefferson Health, Multicultural Education Station Day Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Emergency Department (ED), Nemours Hospital, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children ED and Inpatient Unit 5 North, Nazareth Hospital ED, Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care Meadowbrook, and Jefferson Abington Hospital ED.

Beyond cases reported in Pennsylvania, Delaware’s Department of Health identified one case in Nemours Children’s Hospital that may have resulted in up to 30 additional exposures. The New Jersey Department of Health identified an additional case.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health identified a measles case that affected two major airports, Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on January 3, 2024, and January 4, 2024, respectively. More specifically, travelers in the international arrivals section of the main terminal at Dulles International Airport may have been exposed between 4 PM and 8 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Additionally, those in Terminal A of Ronald Reagan may have been exposed between 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

The health department notes that these potential exposures came from one international traveler at both locations.

Those who may have been exposed to measles are advised to consider their risk. While patients who have completed their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles vaccine series and those born before 1957 might be protected from infection, those who are not protected should monitor themselves for symptoms for the three weeks following exposure.

MMR symptoms may start as flu-like, including fever, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough, within the first two weeks after exposure. Approximately 3–4 days after symptom onset, a rash may appear on the face and spread across the body.

Identifying these cases underscores the importance of vaccination, as it can prevent disease spread and minimize infection rates.