Philadelphia health leaders warn of possible measles exposure reported at CHOP’s NICU

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City health officials say there was a possible measles exposure at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, including in the hospital’s NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit.

According to a release from the city’s Department of Public Health, the possible exposure happened at CHOP’s main building at 3401 Civic Center Blvd. on Friday, Sept. 11, at various times and locations throughout the day, including:

• Between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at NICU West
• Between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at NICU West Family Lounge
• Between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at the CHOP Atrium
• Between 12:05 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. at the CHOP Main Cafeteria

Officials said they’re working to give all infants in the NICU a preventative antibody treatment to help protect them from measles. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be prevented in adults with a vaccine.

“We encourage people to get vaccinated not only to protect themselves, but to protect those who cannot get vaccinated. This is why it is imperative that everyone who is eligible gets up to date on the vaccines they need so we can protect our most vulnerable,” city Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure. Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and watery eyes.

Measles can be serious for some and lead to pneumonia, brain infection and death.