Measles clarification: Allegheny County Health Department addresses measles after cases reported last month
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —
The Allegheny County Health Department is setting the record straight on measles after two cases were reported at UPMC Children’s Hospital last month.
Health officials said Tuesday that the individuals who tested positive for measles at the hospital on Aug. 27 were not residents of Allegheny County and that both left the area after their hospital visit.
“While measles patients may be in the county, ACHD is not informed unless the healthcare provider determines the patient is an Allegheny County resident. Patients who are not residents are handled by the corresponding county or the Pennsylvania Department of Health,” the department said in a letter Tuesday. “Additionally, if a healthcare provider informs the county of potential measles exposure and the provider cannot identify all potentially exposed persons, ACHD will release a statement to inform the community of exposure areas so they can take necessary precautions.”
Following the positive cases on Aug. 27, UPMC has been making calls to patients and staff who have been identified as exposed with further instructions.
Potential exposures may have occurred at the following locations at the following times on Aug. 27:
Giraffe/Hippo Waiting Room on the 3rd floor: 1-4 p.m.Giraffe Clinic on the 3rd floor: 2-5 p.m.Cafeteria on the 3rd floor: 3-5 p.m.Main Lobby on the 1st floor: 1-5 p.m.Grape/Purple Elevators: 1-5 p.m.
“Individuals who are not vaccinated are most at risk for infection,” the health department said in a release. “ACHD advises any individual in the exposure area who has not had two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine to call their healthcare provider for next steps. It is very important for individuals who think they may have been exposed not to go directly to a healthcare facility without calling ahead.”
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