The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that five cases of measles have been identified in Lancaster County.
According to state health officials, all five individuals were unvaccinated. The department is currently working to conduct contact tracing to identify specific locations where the individuals may have exposed others while contagious.
State health investigators are currently retracing the movements of the five infected residents. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine; the virus can remain suspended in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.
“We are working diligently to identify any Pennsylvanians who may have been exposed to these individuals,” a DOH spokesperson stated. “Because measles spreads so easily through breathing, coughing, or sneezing, we urge everyone to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.”
The CDC notes that symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Residents who believe they may have been exposed should monitor themselves for the following:
High fever (which may spike to over 104°F)
Cough and runny nose
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth
A red, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward
