Health Officials Sound Alarm After Possible Measles Exposure at Collegeville Clinic
A potential outbreak of measles has been reported at a healthcare facility in Montgomery County, prompting authorities to urge residents who may have been exposed to take precautions. The incident occurred at Patient First Primary and Urgent Care on January 29th when an individual with measles visited the clinic.
According to health officials, anyone who was present at the clinic between 1:15 pm and 4:15 pm that day should be aware of the risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can appear within 21 days of exposure and include fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, red watery eyes, and an unexplained rash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that measles is a highly contagious disease spread through air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through contact with droplets from an infected individual.
If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, it's essential to check your vaccination records. Those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are fully protected against measles, as well as individuals born in 1957 or earlier and those with lab-confirmed cases of measles.
Those who are not fully vaccinated and think they've been exposed should contact their healthcare provider before visiting a facility to discuss their risk.
Children under 5, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems due to leukemia, HIV, or other diseases are particularly at risk for serious complications from measles.
While two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent measles, officials stress that vaccination is safe and widely available. For more information on measles, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC websites. Any updates regarding this incident will be posted on Montgomery County's website as well.
A potential outbreak of measles has been reported at a healthcare facility in Montgomery County, prompting authorities to urge residents who may have been exposed to take precautions. The incident occurred at Patient First Primary and Urgent Care on January 29th when an individual with measles visited the clinic.
According to health officials, anyone who was present at the clinic between 1:15 pm and 4:15 pm that day should be aware of the risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can appear within 21 days of exposure and include fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, red watery eyes, and an unexplained rash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that measles is a highly contagious disease spread through air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through contact with droplets from an infected individual.
If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, it's essential to check your vaccination records. Those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are fully protected against measles, as well as individuals born in 1957 or earlier and those with lab-confirmed cases of measles.
Those who are not fully vaccinated and think they've been exposed should contact their healthcare provider before visiting a facility to discuss their risk.
Children under 5, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems due to leukemia, HIV, or other diseases are particularly at risk for serious complications from measles.
While two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent measles, officials stress that vaccination is safe and widely available. For more information on measles, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC websites. Any updates regarding this incident will be posted on Montgomery County's website as well.