DELAWARE — Delaware has confirmed its first two cases of measles in more than a decade, as health officials work to learn more about the cases and identify anyone who may have been exposed.
State health officials say the cases are currently the only confirmed ones in Delaware. They are continuing to identify and monitor anyone who may have been exposed while working to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.
Marie Ricks, a Seaford mother who works for the city's school district, says she already takes precautions to help keep her family healthy.
“I kind of take the necessary precautions for my kids handwashing,” Ricks said. “We try to not get in everybody's faces. So I'm not overly concerned.”
Ricks says vaccinations remain one of the most important ways to protect children from measles.
“I really feel like it is important for, for kids to get vaccinated at a young age so that they are protected,” Ricks told WBOC.
She also hopes health officials continue providing updates as they investigate the cases.
“I hope that the CDC would keep us informed on, you know, where things are headed. If that case is being contained or if there [are] any other cases that are coming up so that we can we can take the steps that we need to to protect our kids,” Ricks said.
Dr. Bill Chasanov with Beebe Healthcare says measles spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain in the air long after an infected person leaves an area.
“It can last in the air for, you know, the droplets when we talk and as we sneeze, can last in the air for up to two hours, especially in low ventilated areas,” Chasanov said. “And that is really the primary source of infection for measles is through those droplets.”
He encourages anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status to contact their primary care provider.
“While most of us in the United States have been vaccinated for measles, you know, there are times that people don't know that they've been vaccinated for measles. And as measles has been a disease that we really don't hear much about except when it comes to, you know, please get your vaccinations as a child,” Chasanov said.
Lepre Doughty, who lives in Coverdale Crossroads, says he was surprised to hear Delaware had confirmed cases.
“I'm surprised, I guess, because I never really heard of a measles case,” Doughty said. “I know it's contagious and I got kids in the area, so it's a little concern, but not really much because it's only one. Maybe they can contain it.”
Dr. Robert Rosenbaum with the Delaware Division of Public Health says officials continue to investigate the cases and monitor anyone who may have been exposed.
“The contact tracing is ongoing,” Rosenbaum told WBOC. “There are no other, current patients under investigation.”
He says the goal is to quickly identify anyone at risk and limit additional exposure.
“We're going to identify any other at risk patients or monitor them or try to keep them isolated from others who may be at risk and treat them as needed if they develop symptoms,” Rosenbaum said.
Health officials continue to encourage Delawareans to stay up to date on their measles vaccinations and contact their healthcare provider if they have questions about their immunization status.
