Delaware confirms first measles case in more than a decade - WDEL

What the report says

CoastTV reports that the Delaware Division of Public Health has confirmed the state’s first measles case in more than 10 years. The case involves an unvaccinated man in Kent County, and a laboratory sample came back positive on Monday, according to the agency. Officials said they cannot share more identifying details because of medical privacy rules.

The Division of Public Health is conducting contact tracing to determine who may have been exposed. People identified through that process will be contacted about their vaccination status and given guidance, including treatment recommendations if appropriate. The agency said it will provide more information if investigators find any public locations where exposure may have occurred. CoastTV noted that a February measles exposure at Nemours in Wilmington was not a confirmed Delaware case.

Health officials are urging residents to check their measles, mumps and rubella vaccination records for themselves and their children, including through the DelVAX Public Portal or a primary care provider. The agency said the MMR vaccine has been in use for more than 50 years and is 97% effective against measles after two doses for people who are not severely immunocompromised.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through the air and remain infectious for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms often begin with fever, cough, runny nose and pink eye, followed by a rash. Officials advised people with symptoms to call a health care provider promptly and to notify medical facilities before arrival if exposure is suspected.