Measles exposure alert in Allegheny County: Important information
The Allegheny County Health Department is warning of a potential measles exposure after an individual who visited the emergency department at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on two occasions tested positive for the highly contagious virus.
The individual was at the emergency department, 4401 Penn Ave., on Aug. 12 and again on Aug. 18, according to the Health Department. The person is not from Allegheny County and is currently isolated, officials said. Additional details were not released for privacy reasons.
UPMC will contact patients identified as having been exposed during either visit and provide further instructions.
Health officials said people who have not received two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine are at the greatest risk of infection. Anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider before going to a medical facility to help prevent further exposure.
Measles symptoms can begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that typically begins on the face or head and spreads downward. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before until four days after the rash appears.
The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, according to health officials.
Allegheny County residents with concerns about possible exposure may call the Health Department at 412-578-8062. Pennsylvania residents also may call the state Department of Health hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
The Health Department recommends that people due for measles vaccination contact their medical provider. Uninsured individuals may receive the vaccine through the department’s Immunization Clinic at 425 First Ave. in Downtown Pittsburgh. Officials said there is no risk in receiving an additional MMR dose if a person is uncertain about their vaccination history.
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