PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued a measles advisory Saturday.
They say anyone inside Jefferson Health at 33 South 9th Street on Tuesday, Dec. 19, between 2 and 5:30 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.
If you were not inside the building during those times, you are not at risk.
Measles can spread very easily from person to person, especially those not protected against the virus.
You can contract it through direct contact with respiratory droplets or droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing, the department said.
They advise looking out for the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Puffy eyes followed by a rash
They say for some, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection and death. Those who have it can be contagious four days before to four days after a rash starts.
How to know if you’re immune
The department says if you were born before 1957, have already had the measles, or received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, usually given as measles, mumps, or rubella (MMR) vaccine, you are in the clear.
If you are not protected against this virus, they recommend reaching out to your health care provider for the MMR vaccine.
To prevent spread, the department recommends wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and around those who are unvaccinated through Jan. 9, 2024.
If you develop the above symptoms, contact your doctor and Philadelphia Department of Public Health at 215-685-6740 immediately.