Possible Measles Exposure Reported At Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia, Including NICU

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials warned the public of possible measles exposure at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), including newborns and infants in the NICU.

People in the following parts of CHOP's main building at 3401 Civic Center Blvd. on Sept. 11 may have been exposed:

• CHOP NICU West: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• CHOP NICU West Family Lounge: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• CHOP Atrium: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• CHOP Main Cafeteria: 12:05 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Once declared eliminated in the United States, measles has resurged in recent years due to declining vaccination rates, according to health experts. Four measles-associated deaths were reported in Pennsylvania over the past month, following 35 years of no fatal cases reported in the state, according to state health officials.

CHOP is working with health officials to ensure that infants in the NICU receive antibodies prevent of lessen severe measles disease, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The NICU — neonatal intensive care unit — specializes in treating ill and premature newborns.

People who may have been exposed should check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms, officials said. Staying at home until Oct. 2 is also recommended. See the city's health advisory.

"We encourage people to get vaccinated not only to protect themselves, but to protect those who cannot get vaccinated," Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement.

No other details about the possible measles exposure at CHOP were immediately available. Patch contacted the hospital for comment and will update with any response.

Measles Symptoms, How It's Spread

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, according to health officials. People who aren't protected against measles can catch the virus up to two hours after someone with measles leaves the same room.

Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes followed by a rash. Serious infection can lead to pneumonia, brain infection and death.

Children younger than 5 are especially prone to serious measles complications if they're not vaccinated.

Prevention

The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely considered a safe and effective way to protect yourself against measles.

The MMR vaccine is routinely recommended for children 12 to 15 months old, with a second dose given for given at age 4 to 6.

Infants under 12 months aren't typically eligible for the vaccine and aren't protected. But an early dose is recommended for infants ages 6 to 11 months before traveling internationally or to areas with measles, including Pennsylvania's Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, Dauphin, Northumberland and York counties.

In many cases, the vaccine is available at no cost. Click here for more info.