Published Date: 2010-08-17 16:58:24
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Measles - USA (Pennsylvania) ex Malawi
Archive Number: 20100817.211315
MEASLES - USA (PENNSYLVANIA) ex MALAWI
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Sun 15 Aug 2010
Source: Main Line Media News [edited]
http://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2010/08/15/main_line_times/news/doc4c680962a9e15788164977.txt
Measles case confirmed in Lower Merion
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A 47-year-old Lower Merion woman contracted measles on a trip to
Africa, and Montgomery County Health Department [Pennsylvania] is
alerting others who may have come in contact with her in the local area.
The Montgomery County resident traveled to Malawi, Africa, in July
[2010] where there is a large, ongoing measles outbreak, according to
the Health Department. Currently, this is the only person in the
county identified as a having the disease.
County investigators and staff from local health care facilities have
contacted many people believed to have been at a Lower Merion
grocery store, medical and dental offices, a hospital lab and
Philadelphia International Airport in late July [2010] and early
August [2010], who might have come in contact with her.
While most of those exposed have been found to be immune to the
disease, those without any immunity have been asked to stay home until
they are cleared of the risk.
Measles is spread by infected droplets during sneezing or coughing,
contaminated objects, and direct contact with nasal or throat
secretions of infected persons. The virus resides in the mucus in the
nose and throat of infected people, according to health officials.
When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the
droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to two hours.
According to the Health Department, measles begins with a fever that
lasts for a couple of days, followed by cough, runny nose, and
conjunctivitis, also known as "pink eye." After 2 or 3 days, tiny
white spots appear in the mouth. After 2 more days, a raised, red
rash starts on the face and spreads down the body and out to the arms
and legs. The rash usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Symptoms start about 10
days after exposure and last one to two weeks. After about 5 days,
the rash fades in the same order it appeared.
The woman may have exposed people at the following locations and
times: Dr Rosenberg's dental office and waiting area on Montgomery
Avenue in Narberth between 9 a.m. and noon on 27 Jul [2010]. At Acme
on Montgomery Avenue in Narberth and Whole Foods on East Lancaster
Avenue in Wynnewood between 27 Jul and 29 Jul 2010.
The woman was reportedly at Philadelphia International Airport at the
US Airways baggage claim between 6 and 9:30 p.m. on 28 Jul 2010. On
30 Jul 2010, she was at Longport, New Jersey, beach.
On 3 Aug 2010, anyone at The Delaware Valley Infectious Disease
Associates office and waiting area on East Lancaster Avenue in
Wynnewood may have been exposed between 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. That
same day, the sick woman was at Lankenau Hospital Lab on East
Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood between 1:15 and 3:30 p.m.
Health officials recommend getting vaccines prior to travelling.
Visit http://cdc.gov/travel for information about vaccines that are
necessary for specific trip destination. Those planning overseas
trips can contact PENN Travel Medicine, part of the University of
Pennsylvania Health system, to arrange for obtaining vaccines.
Now with children ready to return to school, it is important they get
vaccinated as well. Parents should contact the family doctor to
obtain the needed vaccines, or if necessary, make an appointment with
the Health Department to get the vaccines.
[Byline: Keith Phucas]
--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-EAFR
[This report highlights the risk of international spread of the
measles outbreak in Malawi and therefore the urgent need to contain
the outbreak locally and for all international travellers to be up to
date on their immunisations regardless of their travel destination.
A map showing the regions of Malawi can be seen at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Malawi. The
HealthMap/ProMED interactive map of the country is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/01am. The state of Philadelphia can be seen
on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map of the USA at http://healthmap.org/r/02R8. - Mod.JFW]
See Also
Measles - Africa (30): Malawi 20100816.211284Measles - Africa (29): Zambia 20100811.211138
Measles - Africa (28): Zambia 20100805.210874
Measles - Africa (27): Malawi 20100718.209231
Measles - Africa (26): Zambia 20100714.209169
Measles - Africa (25) 20100712.209113
Measles - Africa (24): Malawi 20100626.208850
Measles - Africa (23) 20100619.208705
[Additional background information on measles is available from the
general ProMED-mail list. The postings below can be found at
http://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW
[Measles - India: (JK) RFI 20100813.2785
Measles - New Zealand (02): (Auckland) alert 20100810.2739
Measles - Argentina: ex South Africa, susp 20100809.2714
Measles - Brazil: (PA), RFI 20100807.2682
Measles - Africa (21): Zambia 20100806.2669
Measles - Europe: re-emergence 20100729.2548
Measles - Africa (20): Zambia 20100714.2360
Measles - Africa (19): Zambia 20100629.2162
Measles - Africa (18): West, Southern 20100623.2095
Measles - Africa (17): Malawi 20100620.2073
...................................jfw/mj/be
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