Mifflin County measles cases climb to 29
Pa. outbreak reaches 393 cases as state reports first measles deaths in 35 years
Sentinel file photo Trending
LEWISTOWN - Mifflin County's confirmed measles count has risen to 29, up from 17, as Pennsylvania's outbreak reached 393 cases and the state reported its first measles-related deaths in 35 years.
The latest county figures, dated Aug. 24, show Mifflin County added 12 cases since the previous update. Snyder County has 13 cases, Centre County has 14, Perry County has four, and Huntingdon County has one. Juniata County still has no confirmed cases.
Statewide, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 393 cases. Eighty-six cases were reported during the past seven days, and 70 people have been hospitalized. Two people have died.
Those figures represent another sharp increase since the previous update, when Pennsylvania had 307 cases and 53 hospitalizations. Since then, the state has added 86 cases and 17 hospitalizations.
The department said both people who died were unvaccinated Lancaster County residents. They are Pennsylvania's first measles-related deaths in 35 years. The state has confirmed cases in 29 counties this year.
"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said in a department release.
Bogen said measles had been largely eliminated in Pennsylvania for over three decades, leaving many people unfamiliar with how severe the disease can become.
"As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles," Bogen said.
The department says two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine provide 97% lifetime protection.
Earlier this month, Mifflin County had six confirmed cases. The count rose to 17 before reaching 29 in the Aug. 24 update.
Dr. Stanley Martin, director of infectious diseases for Geisinger, told The Sentinel earlier this month that Geisinger Lewistown Hospital was treating a handful of suspected measles patients. At the time, the patients were awaiting confirmation through Department of Health testing. Martin said they were unvaccinated.
State data don't identify whether any of Mifflin County's 29 confirmed cases are among the patients Martin discussed.
Martin called measles "one of, if not the most contagious viruses that we know of."
Geisinger has also tightened precautions as cases rise in central Pennsylvania. After potential measles exposures at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, the health system began screening patients and visitors at public entrances at facilities across the region for possible exposure, symptoms, and vaccination status.
Geisinger Medical Center also temporarily restricted visitation to its neonatal intensive care unit after learning that a visitor who had been in the unit later tested positive for measles. Visitation is limited to parents or legal guardians who don't have measles symptoms, and visitors are screened when entering the hospital. The restrictions apply only to the Danville NICU.
Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to the department. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves an area.
Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash usually follows several days later, starting on the head and spreading downward. Symptoms can appear seven to 21 days after exposure.
Measles can cause serious short- and long-term complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized, according to the department. Death is rare, occurring in one to three patients for every 1,000 cases.
Anyone who believes they were exposed and develops symptoms should contact a health care provider. The department's toll-free measles hotline is 877-PA-HEALTH, or 877-724-3258.
State officials have expanded vaccination efforts as the outbreak has grown. Since April, Department of Health workers have administered more than 4,100 MMR vaccinations at 91 pop-up clinics in affected communities, with another 40 clinics planned in the coming weeks.
Over 35,000 Pennsylvanians received an MMR vaccination in July, about 10,000 more doses than during a typical month, according to the state.
"We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities," Bogen said.