Delaware Measles Cases Climb to 13, Including Four Children

Image Courtesy of CDC

KENT COUNTY, Del. – The Delaware Department of Public Health has now confirmed a total of 13 measles cases in the state, including four positive cases in children aged under 10 years.

The new cases follow a declared measles outbreak, instituted on Jul. 23; one of 37 declared across the country this year. All positive Delaware cases have been reported in Kent County, with at least eight having been confirmed in unvaccinated persons.

Measles spreads through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes, and can stay in the air for up to two hours after a contagious person leaves the space. About 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who come near a person with measles will also become infected.

Symptoms typically begin between seven to 14 days after exposure, and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a red splotchy rash across parts of the body. Untreated, it can cause severe health problems, such as pneumonia and brain swelling.

Maryland has also declared a measles outbreak, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, and confirmed their 13th case on Tuesday after a Maryland resident tested positive in Cecil County. Officials say anyone who visited ChristianaCare Union Hospital Emergency Department on Aug. 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., may have been exposed.

People who are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised, or too young to be vaccinated face the highest risk of severe complications during a measles outbreak. As a result, anyone in those groups who has come into contact with someone suspected to have measles should immediately contact their primary care provider for guidance. Health professionals urge unvaccinated individuals who get exposed should contact their primary care provider or a public health clinic to obtain an MMR vaccine, which is proven to be 97% effective after two doses.