4th Measles Case In Maryland Confirmed

PIKESVILLE, MD — A fourth Maryland resident has been diagnosed with measles, state health officials reported on Friday, April 19. It is the third case of the measles this week that authorities have confirmed and the fourth so far this month.

People in Pikesville in particular may have been exposed to the potentially damaging virus, which spreads among unvaccinated people through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth. Experts say it may remain in the air for up to two hours.

Red eyes, runny nose, cough, fever of at least 101 degrees and a red rash are the most common manifestations of measles, which may also cause ear infection, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain swelling and death. A person with measles is contagious four days before the rash and four days after the rash begins. Experts say the virus may remain in the air for up to two hours and can be prevented with a vaccine. Symptoms appear seven to 21 days after exposure, usually within 10 to 14 days.

Cases of measles in Maryland have been localized to a small geographic area within zip codes 21208, 21209 and 21215, according to state health officials.

“While the outbreak is currently localized to a small area of the state, the best way to prevent measles in Maryland, or anywhere people might travel, is through vaccination,” Maryland Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances B. Phillips said in statement. “We continue to encourage all Marylanders to get vaccinated or check with their health care providers to ensure they and their families are up-to-date on vaccinations.”

Where Measles Exposure May Have Occurred

Anyone who visited a building at 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, may have come into contact with the latest person who was diagnosed with measles, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Here are dates and locations where people may have been exposed in Maryland since state health officials confirmed the first measles case on Friday, April 5 — all locations are in Pikesville:

• 4000 Old Court Rd in Pikesville from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16,
• 4000 Old Court Road on Sunday, April 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• 4000 Old Court Road on Tuesday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 1630 Reisterstown Road at Market Maven on Sunday, April 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• 201 Reisterstown Road at Seven Mile Market on Sunday, April 14, from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m.

Those who may have been exposed at additional locations are being notified directly, state health officials reported.

Officials confirmed the first measles case in a Maryland resident on April 5 and cautioned anyone who visited an office building at 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, that there could have been exposure to measles.

The second person diagnosed with measles had contact with the first person diagnosed in a household setting, officials reported. Both individuals contracted the infection out of state in an area with an ongoing measles outbreak, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

A third Maryland resident diagnosed with measles visited the Old Court Road building as well as two Pikesville grocery stores on Sunday, April 14, officials said.

The fourth person to come down with the virus had also been in the Old Court Road building, on Tuesday, April 16, according to authorities.

Those most at risk of complications from measles infants less than one year old, pregnant women and people whose immune systems are compromised. People who were born in the U.S. before 1957, who previously had measles or who have had two doses of measles vaccine are considered immune.

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People who suspect they have been exposed to measles should call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made to ensure other patients and medical staff are protected from possible infection.

What To Do About Potential Measles Exposure

State health officials made these recommendations for those concerned about measles exposure:

Monitor for possible symptoms of measles like fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash.

If you are healthy and have had two doses of MMR vaccine, there is no need to take action.

If your immune system is weakened by disease or medications, even if you have received two doses of MMR vaccine, call your health care provider and say you may have been exposed to measles; you might need a medication called immune globulin.

If you have not received two doses of MMR vaccine or are unsure, call your health care provider to determine next steps; you may need a dose of MMR vaccine or immune globulin medication.

Get more information about measles from the Maryland Department of Health and the CDC.