DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A measles scare in Delaware County has put health officials on heightened alert as they warn the public.
According to the Delaware County Health Department, measles was detected in two wastewater samples collected on June 9 and 11 at the DELCORA treatment plant in Chester.
Director Lora Werner said despite those findings, there have been no confirmed human cases in the county.
“This signal [of measles in wastewater] made us want to make sure that people continue to have heightened awareness that measles is in the vicinity,” she said.
Wastewater is tested for trends in diseases, but measles is an airborne disease. “Measles is not transmitted through contact with wastewater or any other kind of item, inanimate object,” Werner clarified.
Symptoms of measles include coughs, fever, runny nose, red eyes or rash. She said anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles should contact their healthcare provider about the disease.
“Measles can be very serious, especially for babies and young children. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles can develop serious brain swelling and possible brain damage,” Werner explained.
“We are seeing outbreaks across the country. In south central Pennsylvania, there have been 66 measles cases since the start of the year.”
Her biggest piece of advice is for anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated for measles to do so as soon as possible.
