Delaware reports first measles case in more than a decade - Delawareonline.com

What the report says

The News Journal reported that Delaware has identified its first measles case in more than 10 years. According to the Delaware Division of Public Health, the case was confirmed July 20 in an unvaccinated adult man from Kent County. The announcement followed a measles outbreak that began in neighboring Pennsylvania in late April.

State health officials said contact tracing was underway to determine who may have been exposed. The Division of Public Health said it would contact people identified through that process to check vaccination status, provide information and recommend treatment when needed. Officials also said they would release more details if investigators find any public exposure locations.

The report noted that Delaware health leaders had warned earlier in July that the state was at heightened risk. Dr. Ayanna Buckner, chief physician in the Division of Public Health’s Office of Epidemiology, told The News Journal on July 9 that officials were especially concerned about measles this summer.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can spread through respiratory droplets or linger in the air after an infected person leaves. Symptoms often begin with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis before a rash develops. The illness can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death. There is no specific antiviral cure, but public health guidance cited in the report says vaccination soon after exposure or antibody treatment for certain high-risk people may help reduce severe illness.