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Allegheny County reported last week five confirmed cases of measles, its first cases of the year, and health officials warn residents that there will likely be more cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of measles cases in the country has exceeded 700 since the beginning of the year, making it the worst epidemic in more than two decades. CDC officials said that the state of New York was considered the epicenter of the epidemic.
The measles balance sheet represents the largest number of cases since measles was considered eliminated from the United States in 2000.
So what does this mean for you?
Here are the most common questions residents can have about measles.
Question: What is my risk?
Answer: Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician, said that anyone born after 1989 who received two doses of the vaccine was about 97% protected. Anyone born in 1957 and before is protected from natural immunity because of the prevalence of the disease at that time. He stated that people born between 1957 and 1989 probably received only one dose and were protected at about 93%.
Dr. Graham Snyder, Director of Infection Control at UPMC, added that the measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines.
"It's very unusual to have a major infection for people who have been vaccinated," he said.
Q: Do I need a reminder?
A: If you have already received two doses of the vaccine, there is no need for a booster, said Snyder.
In fact, most people do not need a reminder. According to Snyder, three groups of people may need a booster if they had only received one dose of the vaccine: students, health professionals and people traveling abroad.
If you are not sure about your immunization history, Snyder suggested discussing with your primary health care provider the possibility of viewing immunization records. If the records are not available, doctors can also do a blood test to check your immunity.
Q: How infectious is it?
A: Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread by coughing, sneezing or any other contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person.
According to the CDC, the measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person coughs or sneezes. If other people breathe contaminated air or touch the infected surface and then touch the eyes, nose or mouth, they may become infected.
Measles is so contagious that if someone is infected, nearly 90% of their non-immune relatives will also be infected.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after infection and include rash, high fever, cough, and red, watery eyes.
According to Snyder, some people infected with the virus may have serious complications, including pneumonia or a brain infection.
The CDC states that measles can be serious for people of all ages, but that children under 5 and adults over 20 are more likely to suffer from complications.
Q: What about mumps and rubella?
A: The measles vaccine also provides protection against mumps and rubella.
Snyder said epidemics tend to fluctuate over time and that measles is currently the main concern.
He said that there had been a few cases of mumps reported in Pennsylvania. About 2,000 students from Temple University have been diagnosed with mumps this year.
Some people who contract mumps have very mild symptoms, similar to a cold or no symptoms, and may not know that they have the disease. Mumps may have symptoms similar to those of measles but do not include a rash.
According to the CDC, rubella, sometimes called "German measles", was eliminated from the United States in 2004 and fewer than 10 people in the United States contract it each year.
Emily Balser is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Emily at 724-226-4680, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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