DOVER, Del. - Delaware health officials have declared a measles outbreak after confirming five total cases this week so far.
The Delaware Division of Public Health announced on July 22 that four cases had been identified. WBOC previously reported the first two cases earlier this week, marking the first confirmed cases of measles in the First State in over a decade.
The original four cases involved unvaccinated adult men in Kent County, according to DPH. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more measles cases connected by time and location.
On Thursday, July 23, DPH confirmed a fifth person in Kent County had tested positive, but was experiencing only mild symptoms due to being fully vaccinated with both doses of the MMR vaccine.
DPH says extensive contact tracing is underway to identify anyone who may have been exposed. Those individuals will be contacted to confirm their vaccination status, receive information about the virus and get treatment recommendations when necessary.
Officials have not announced any known public exposure locations. DPH says more information will be released if its investigation identifies any.
People who are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised or too young to receive the vaccine face the greatest risk of serious complications. Anyone in those groups who may have been exposed should immediately contact a primary care provider or Delaware’s Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990.
People who are unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status are also encouraged to contact a health care provider or public health clinic about receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles in people who have received two doses and are not severely immunocompromised, according to DPH. Children should generally receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months old and their second between 4 and 6 years old.
Delawareans can review their vaccination records through the DelVAX Public Portal or contact their health care provider.
Measles symptoms include fever, coughing, a runny nose, and pink eye, followed several days later by a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads down the body. The highly contagious virus can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death.
The virus spreads through infectious droplets and can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Anyone experiencing possible measles symptoms should contact a health care provider before arriving at a medical facility so precautions can be taken to prevent further exposure. People with severe symptoms should seek immediate emergency care.
Vaccines are available at some pharmacies, primary care offices and public health clinics. DPH recommends calling ahead to confirm availability.
More information is available at de.gov/measles.
