LifeBridge Health Changes Visitor Policy After Measles Diagnosis

Given the confirmed case of measles in the Pikesville area, LifeBridge Health changed its visitor policy as a precaution. The health system is not allowing visitors under the age of 14 into its hospitals, according to a statement LifeBridge issued on Wednesday, April 10.

Recently, state health officials said that anyone who visited an office building at 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville on Tuesday, April 2, may have been exposed to measles. Possible exposure times were from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. People who may have been exposed at additional locations are being notified directly, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

In response, LifeBridge Health, concentrated in the northwestern Baltimore metro area, issued an advisory stating that it would no longer allow those under age 14 to visit. Those who suspect they may have measles are also asked not to come in but to call first instead.

"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 text of the measles alert issued by LifeBridge Health:

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 this report.