The Allegheny County Health Department has confirmed a second case of measles in the county.
Officials say the new case is connected to the first case, reported earlier this week.
The Health Department says the cases are connected because both patients go to the same school “which suggests there was likely a previously unknown exposure at the school.”
The first case was reported on Monday and the Health Department reported a possible exposure at the Target on McKnight Road on October 1.
“This connection significantly expands our investigation,” said Dr. Jillian Irwin, Allegheny County Health Department Medical Director. “Determining how these individuals were infected and the details of all additional exposures is key to successfully stopping further spread”
While no other information has been made available about the most recent exposure, the Health Department say anyone will contact anyone who was potentially exposed to the virus.
Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against measles is at a significantly higher risk of contracting the virus.
“Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head or face and spreads downward,” says the ACHD. “Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. An individual with measles can spread the virus to others four days before and four days after the rash begins.”
It was reported that two people at a UPMC facility in August tested positive for measles, but it was later clarified that those individuals are not residents of Allegheny County.
Monday’s case is the first reported of a person living in Allegheny County.
The number of measles cases in Pennsylvania this year has now surpassed 1,000.
Anyone who was exposed will be contacted
Anyone who was exposed will be contacted
