CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — As measles cases become a growing concern across the state, experts are encouraging the public to take precautions to help stop the spread.
While case numbers are still low, experts are emphasizing that measles can be very severe, which is why you should take steps to protect yourself and your community.
“One of the concerning things about measles is that it can be transmissible for 4 to 5 days before you even start showing symptoms. That’s one of the reasons it transmits so quickly is because people don’t even know they’re sick yet,” explained Matt Ferrari, director for the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Penn State.
Ferrari says that the measles virus is typically seen more in children, partially due to the fact that many young kids have not had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
“The disease is more severe in children, causes severe fever which can also lead to swelling and inflammation of the brain which can cause neurological complications.”
In addition to fever and other common illness symptoms, the virus often presents with a severe uncomfortable rash. Ferrari also says that having measles can make you more susceptible to secondary infections later on, including pneumonia.
While the virus is highly contagious, experts emphasize that is also very preventable. Ferrari says that getting vaccinated against measles is by far the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you.
“Your vaccination protects not only you, but it protects the others in your community. Again, keep in mind that there are children who could be susceptible to measles but are too young to get the vaccine. There are members of our community that are immuno-suppressed and can’t get vaccinated and they’re still at risk of measles. Our choice to get vaccinated protects us as well as protecting all of those folks.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Health created a dashboard on its website to track measles cases, as well as vaccinations.
In the past three months, the DOH says its staff have given more than 17-hundred vaccine shots.
If you’re looking to get your first dose of the measles vaccine or a booster, many local pharmacies and urgent care centers offer appointments or welcome walk-ins.