Allegheny County Health Department Announces Individual Tested Positive for Measles

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that an individual who was at the UPMC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department has tested positive for measles.

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The individual was not from Allegheny County and the health department has confirmed with UPMC that the individual is currently isolated. No additional details can be provided for privacy reasons.

UPMC will call patients who have been identified as exposed on the two days when the patient was at the hospital.

Individuals who are not vaccinated are at-most risk for infection, the ACDH said. The health department advises any individual in the exposure area who has not had two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine to call their healthcare provider for next steps.

Individuals who believe they may have been exposed should not go directly to a healthcare facility without calling ahead. The health department also notes that those who are concerned about having been exposed should check their vaccination status.

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 seven 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 MMR vaccine is given to toddlers when they are 12 to 15 months, and a second MMR vaccine is required for all Pennsylvania school children.

Residents in Allegheny County who are concerned about a potential exposure should call ACHD at 412-578-8062, while Pennsylvanians in other areas can call 877-724-3258.