Measles Alert: Hospitals In NW Baltimore Area Bar Youth Visitors

RANDALLSTOWN, MD — With a case of the measles reported in the greater Baltimore area, one local hospital system is taking extra safety measures. LifeBridge Health announced on Wednesday that it had changed its visitor policy as a precaution. The health system is not allowing visitors under the age of 14 at its facilities, including at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown.

A case of measles was confirmed in Baltimore County, state health officials reported on Friday, April 5. Officials said that a Pikesville office building may have exposed people to the highly contagious, potentially fatal disease.

Anyone who visited the building at 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, may have been exposed to measles, state health officials said. People who may have been exposed at additional locations are being notified directly, the Maryland Department of Health reported.

The person diagnosed with measles was a child in the Jewish community, The Baltimore Sun reported.

As a result, LifeBridge Health — which has hospitals in the Baltimore, Randallstown and Westminster area — announced on Wednesday, April 10, that visitors younger than 14 will not be allowed to visit.

"Protecting our patients, visitors and employees is our responsibility and highest priority," LifeBridge Health said in a measles alert issued on Wednesday, April 10. "With a confirmed case of measles in our area, LifeBridge Health has taken the precautionary measure to change our visitor policy to no hospital visitors under age 14."

Measles is a viral infection which is easily spread to unvaccinated people through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth. The measles virus may remain in the air for up to two hours, health experts say.

"Measles is highly contagious among people who are not vaccinated," according to the measles alert from LifeBridge Health, "so we made this proactive decision to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees."

These are the locations where LifeBridge operates facilities:

• Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
• Northwest Hospital in Randallstown
• Carroll Hospital in Westminster
• Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore
• LifeBridge Medical Care Center in Eldersburg, Mays Chapel and Reisterstown

Anyone — especially those who have not been vaccinated against measles — who were at 4000 Old Court Road should watch for symptoms of measles, especially fever.

People who develop a fever or other symptoms of measles should contact their health care provider, state officials urge.

RELATED: Measles Case Confirmed, Baltimore County Exposure Possible

This is the measles alert issued by LifeBridge Health on Wednesday, April 10:

Protecting our patients, visitors and employees is our responsibility and highest priority.With a confirmed case of measles in our area, LifeBridge Health has taken the precautionary measure to change our visitor policy to no hospital visitors under age 14.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience for patients and families. Please know that we made this decision in the best interest of our patients.Measles is highly contagious among people who are not vaccinated, so we made this proactive decision to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees.

If people think they have measles symptoms or have been exposed to measles recently, they should not come to the hospitals and instead call their primary care doctor for further instructions.

Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red/irritated eyes and rash. We are working in close coordination with state and local health officials and will continue to reassess this visitor policy as appropriate.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to the reporting.