Pennsylvania has reported 676 measles cases, including four people who were fully vaccinated for their age the first such cases identified during the current outbreak, state health officials said.
The four cases involve three adults and one child from Centre, Jefferson, Lancaster and Lycoming counties, Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra L. Bogen said Friday.
Doctors at Suburban Family Medicine in Montgomery County said they are fielding questions from parents about measles and vaccinations. Despite the cases involving vaccinated people, doctors said it is not time to panic, but people should understand the risks associated with the virus.
Dr. Ashley Miller of Suburban Family Medicine said serious complications would be extraordinarily rare for someone who had previously been vaccinated.
The greater risk is among people who are unvaccinated, including those with weakened immune systems that prevent them from being vaccinated, Miller said.
A woman in her 40s recently died from measles-related complications, according to the Jefferson County coroner. She was unvaccinated.
While a red rash is commonly associated with measles, doctors said it is one of the later symptoms to develop after infection.
“Symptoms can take anywhere from seven to 21 days to appear, and they typically begin with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes,” Bogen said.
Measles can also lead to serious complications.
“Some people will get a rash, but some people will end up dying of pneumonia or brain inflammation in the hospital and it’s completely preventable,” Miller said.
Health officials are urging unvaccinated people to understand the risks and isolate if they have been exposed to measles.
For people who have questions about vaccination, Miller recommends speaking with a medical provider. Suburban Family Medicine in Norristown allows walk-ins for the vaccine, while many county health departments and state clinics also offer vaccinations.
“If people do have concerns, and our clinic is not just a vaccine assembly line, people are more than welcome to come in, even if they want a consultation,” Miller said.
People who are unsure of their vaccination status should also speak with their doctor, Miller said. People born before 1957 are considered immune.
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles and needs medical treatment should call their provider before arriving so medical staff can prepare.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication