Delaware confirms second measles case after reporting first infection in over a decade one day prior

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Delaware confirmed a second case of measles Tuesday, just one day after confirming the first positive test in more than a decade.

Case confirmed in Kent County

Both cases are in unvaccinated adult males in Kent County, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. Health officials said in a statement that extensive contact tracing is ongoing to identify anyone exposed.

People who may have been exposed will be contacted to confirm whether they have been vaccinated and to recommend treatment when necessary.

The state’s health department recommends checking one’s vaccination status, as well as children’s. Those who are unsure of their vaccination status can visit the DelVAX Public Portal. If records are inaccessible through the portal, people should contact their primary health care provider.

“The MMR vaccine is proven safe and effective at preventing measles, having been administered for over five decades,” DPH said in a statement. “Testing shows the MMR vaccine to be 97% effective at preventing measles for those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine and are not severely immunocompromised.”

Delawareans can get vaccinated at pharmacies, primary care providers and public health clinics within the state.

Measles symptoms, when and where to seek care

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing, puffy eyes and rash. If left untreated, it can lead to a serious infection causing pneumonia, brain infection and death in extreme cases. The incubation period for measles after exposure to fever is usually about 10 days, and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 14 days.

Anyone showing any symptoms should seek immediate care by contacting their primary care provider. If symptoms are severe, they should seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department.

People are considered immune to measles if they meet at least one of the following criteria: being born before 1957, have already had measles, or have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

More than 100 cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania this year, with at least 72 linked to an outbreak that began in the area of Lebanon and Lancaster counties in late April.