Following the first confirmed case of measles in Allegheny County last week and the two deaths reported by state officials in Lancaster on Tuesday, Butler County has its first case of the viral disease.
Independence Health System says a person who tested positive was recently taken to the FasterCare clinic in Buffalo Township.
In a statement, Dr. Michael Fiorina told the Butler Eagle the Department of Health has been notified, contact tracing is underway and the patient is quarantining at home.
First two deaths associated with measles in 35 years reported in PA
Across the state, 340 total cases have been reported across Pennsylvania this year, including 53 in the past six days.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 0 percent of the cases have come from fully vaccinated people.
Dr. Don Yealy, with UPMC, is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated that already isn’t against measles and says the vaccine is highly-effective.
Most common symptoms of measles include:
Fever
Red rash on the skin
Lesions or soreness in your mouth
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.
Dr. Yealy, who says he hasn’t seen a measles case in 20 years, says the vaccine is not only highly-effective but also safe.
Learn more about measles and get the latest data from the state HERE.
