Single measles case in Allegheny County not expected to lead to widespread outbreak

The Allegheny County Health Department on Wednesday said it does not believe that the first confirmed case of measles here in 2019 — diagnosed Monday in a man — will lead to a widespread outbreak of the highly contagious disease.

“Right now, I’m not terribly concerned about this particular case given there weren’t a lot of exposures,” said Dr. Kristen Mertz, medical epidemiologist with the health department. “We have a pretty well-vaccinated community. My concern is with the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated population.

“We have pretty good vaccination at schools. The goal is to have students with more than 95 percent coverage. We have a few schools just under that and a few that are not great.”

Dr. Mertz urged those who are not vaccinated to get the measlesmumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine as soon as possible. And, she said, anyone who may have been exposed to the disease at places the diagnosed man visited over the weekend and subsequently developed symptoms — rash, high fever, cough, and red and watery eyes — should contact their primary care provider immediately.

The man was potentially contagious as of Thursday. Places and times the public may have been exposed include the Giant Eagle Market District on Centre Avenue in Shadyside between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Friday and between 2:45 and 5 p.m. Sunday and the Aldi on Baum Boulevard from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.

The man, whose name was not released, was not vaccinated and

recently traveled out of the country for two weeks. He was diagnosed, treated and discharged Monday from the UPMC Shadyside emergency room and is recovering at home.

Here are some common questions about measles and the vaccine.

What are symptoms of measles?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms start with high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Two or three days later, tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms appear, a rash breaks out. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees.

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, children younger than 5 and adults older than 20 are more likely to suffer from measles complications.

What do I do if I think I or a family member has measles?

Contact your primary care provider immediately, said Dr. Karen Hacker, health department director. Don’t go directly to your doctor’s office, an urgent care office or hospital emergency room because you could expose other people.

Who is most at risk?

• Infants less than 1 year of age who are too young to have received the MMR vaccine;

• Individuals who refused vaccination;

• Individuals from parts of the world where there is low vaccination coverage or circulating measles.

The MMR vaccine is given to children when they are 12 to 15 months old, and a second MMR vaccine is recommended at ages 4 to 6.

How do I know if I need a booster?

Adults born during or after 1957 who have not had two doses of vaccine or documented disease should be vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine also can help prevent infection if it is given within three days of exposure. Where can I get the vaccine?

The health department recommends that any person who is due for measles vaccination schedule an appointment to receive it from their medical provider. The vaccine is also available at the health department’s immunization clinic, 425 First Ave., Fourth Floor, Downtown.

What schools have the lowest vaccination rates in Allegheny County?

Vaccinations are required for all Pennsylvania schoolchildren, although this mandate can be waived for religious or philosophical reasons.

According to the Allegheny County School Immunization Report for 2017-18, the five schools with at least 100 students that have the lowest vaccination rates in the county are The Academy Charter School (44%), Pittsburgh The Waldorf School (77%), St. Joseph High School (77%), Eden Christian Academy, Mount Nebo campus (79%) and Pittsburgh Online Academy (81%).