Delaware's 4 new cases of measles meet criteria of "outbreak" - WDEL

What the report says

WDEL 1150AM reports that Delaware Public Health announced two additional confirmed measles cases on Wednesday, raising the state’s recent total to four. The cases are described as the first known measles cases in Delaware in more than 10 years. All four people who tested positive are unvaccinated adult males in Kent County, according to the report, and DPH said medical privacy rules prevent it from releasing further identifying details.

The situation meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s outbreak threshold, which WDEL notes is three or more measles cases connected by time and location. Delaware health officials said extensive contact tracing is underway to find people who may have been exposed. DPH is urging people at higher risk of severe illness — including those who are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised or too young for vaccination — to seek medical guidance if they may have had contact with a suspected measles case.

The agency also advised unvaccinated people, or anyone unsure of their status, to contact a health care provider or public health clinic about receiving the MMR vaccine. Delaware residents can check immunization records through the DelVAX Public Portal or their primary care provider. DPH said people with measles symptoms should call ahead before visiting a medical facility so providers can limit further exposure.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can spread through respiratory droplets or linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Public health officials say two doses of MMR vaccine provide strong protection for people who are not severely immunocompromised.