Measles cases are on the rise across Pennsylvania, with health officials confirming 393 cases so far this year across 28 counties.<\/p>\n
Despite the increase statewide, health officials confirm there are currently\u00a0no reported measles cases in Erie County.<\/p>\n
Officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination, saying the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against the highly contagious disease. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about\u00a097% protection against measles.<\/p>\n
\u201cVaccination is your best defense,\u201d health officials say.<\/p>\n
Nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized. While deaths from measles are rare, the disease can be serious and, in some cases, fatal.<\/p>\n
What are the symptoms of measles?<\/p>\n
Measles symptoms often begin with signs that can resemble a common cold, including:<\/p>\n
Cough<\/p>\n
Runny nose<\/p>\n
Watery eyes<\/p>\n
High fever<\/p>\n
A characteristic measles rash typically begins along the hairline and then spreads throughout the body.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest concerns for health officials is how easily measles can spread before a person realizes they are sick.<\/p>\n
Erin Mrenak, director of the Erie County Public Health Department, says people infected with measles can be contagious before the characteristic rash appears.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat’s concerning with measles is that it’s very contagious even before the rash starts \u2014 four days before. So, you could be walking around thinking you just have a cold, and you actually have measles and potentially exposed other individuals to measles when you were unaware that you had it,\u201d Mrenak said.<\/p>\n
Mrenak also says the measles virus can remain in the air for an extended period after an infected person leaves a room.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeasles can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone’s been in a room if they have it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Health officials are also testing wastewater for the measles virus as they monitor for signs of the disease.<\/p>\n
While measles cases continue to increase across Pennsylvania, officials stress that\u00a0no cases have been reported in Erie County at this time\u00a0and are urging residents to make sure they are up to date on their MMR vaccinations.<\/p>\n