Less than a week after Pennsylvania recorded its fifth measles-associated death and the same day the state’s 2026 cases of the disease surpassed 1,000, Allegheny County confirmed its first infection in a resident.
Confirmation came during the early evening of Oct. 5, when Allegheny County Health Department said in a press release that an individual under the age of 18 had tested positive for measles and may have exposed people in Ross Township.
Here’s what to know.
Who has measles in Allegheny County?
An unvaccinated minor tested positive for measles, according to Allegheny County Health Department. They did not provide any additional information about the individual, citing privacy concerns.
Was I exposed to measles in Allegheny County?
Shoppers at the Ross Township Target, located at 9805 McKnight Road, may have been exposed to measles on Thursday, Oct. 1 between 3:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
There were no school-related exposures in connection to this measles case.
What should I do if I was exposed to measles?
If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, you should talk to your healthcare provider about what to do, the county health department said. Do not go to a healthcare facility without calling ahead.
Those who are unvaccinated are most at risk of catching measles. Anyone who is partially vaccinated, meaning they received one dose of the MMR vaccine rather than the recommended two, may still be susceptible to the disease. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
If you were vaccinated in Pennsylvania, you can check your vaccination status on the state department of health’s website.
If you have not been vaccinated, you should schedule your shots with your healthcare provider or the immunization clinic in Downton Pittsburgh, the county health department said. If you’re uncertain if you’ve been vaccinated, there’s no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine.
What are the symptoms of measles? How does measles spread?
Measles spreads when a person infected with the virus breathes, coughs or sneezes. It spreads through the air and on surfaces, and it can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person has left an area.
The illness starts with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, and is then followed by a rash that begins on the head or face and spreads downward. Symptoms can show up seven to 21 days after exposure, and a person is contagious four days before and four days after the rash begins.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Allegheny County confirms measles case amid PA outbreak
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