UPMC says they\u2019ve confirmed a case of measles in the Pittsburgh area.<\/p>\n
Dr. Don Yealy, UPMC Endowed Chair of Emergency Medicine, tells KDKA Radio\u2019s Marty Griffin that at least one person has tested positive for the viral illness in Allegheny County.<\/p>\n
And, several other people are currently going through the process of testing. <\/p>\n
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and Dr. Yealy says they are currently contact tracing around 100 people that could\u2019ve been exposed in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat that means is we have to identify who was nearby this person when they were infected and what nearby means in the same room, within yards and you know, within, even many minutes of that person\u2019s arrival,\u201d said Dr. Yealy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as one person gets it, it multiplies quickly,\u201d added Yealy.<\/p>\n
Across the state, 340 total cases have been reported across Pennsylvania this year, including 75 in the last seven days.<\/p>\n
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 0 percent of the cases have come from fully vaccinated people.<\/p>\n
Dr. Yealy is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated that already isn\u2019t against measles and says the vaccine is highly-effective.<\/p>\n
Most common symptoms of measles include:<\/p>\n
Fever
Red rash on the skin
Lesions or soreness in your mouth<\/p>\n
The United States was declared measles-free 20 years ago but due to low vaccination rates have been on the rise over the past several years.<\/p>\n
Dr. Yealy, who says he hasn\u2019t seen a measles case in 20 years, says the vaccine is not only highly-effective but also safe. <\/p>\n