Third Measles Case Reported In Maryland

MARYLAND — A third Maryland resident has been diagnosed with measles, according to the Maryland Department of Health. People who visited three Pikesville locations, including two grocery stores, may have been exposed to the potentially fatal virus, health officials advised.

News of the third case of measles in the area came Wednesday, one day after state health officials confirmed the second Maryland resident had been diagnosed.

"It is concerning that three cases of measles have been identified in Maryland in such a short period of time," Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances B. Phillips said in a statement. "The measles virus can spread very easily between unvaccinated people, and there have been large outbreaks in several other areas of the country. Vaccination is the best way to stop additional infections. We are asking that Marylanders ensure they and their families are up-to-date on vaccinations against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Measles is a viral infection with symptoms appearing 10 to 14 days after exposure. Fever, red eyes, runny nose, cough and red rash are the most common manifestations. In some cases, particularly in children, measles may cause ear infection, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain swelling and death.

It can be prevented with a vaccine.

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

Anyone who was in these Pikesville locations may have been exposed to measles, Maryland health experts reported on Wednesday, April 17:

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

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.

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Coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth can spread the virus to unvaccinated people. Experts say it may remain in the air for up to two hours. A person with measles is contagious four days before the rash and four days after the rash begins.

The Maryland Department of Health provided 1,200 doses of the measles vaccine to Baltimore County health officials for a vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, at the Bais Yaakov School For Girls on Smith Avenue in Mount Washington.

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.

There have been 555 individual cases of measles confirmed in 20 states between Jan. 1 and April 11, 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reports this is the second greatest number of cases in the U.S. since the measles was eliminated in 2000.

The states that have reported measles cases to the CDC in 2019 are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Unvaccinated international travelers are believed to have brought measles back from countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring, the CDC reports.

The Maryland Department of Health recommends the following for people who might have been exposed to measles:

• Take no actions if you are healthy and know you have had two doses of MMR vaccine.
• Call your doctor immediately to say you may have been exposed to measles, if your immune system is currently weakened by disease or medications, even if you have received two doses of MMR vaccine. You might need a medication called immune globulin.
• Call your doctor immediately if you know you have not received two doses of MMR vaccine, or if you aren’t sure whether you have received two doses of MMR vaccine; you might need a dose of MMR vaccine or a medication called immune globulin
• Monitor for possible symptoms of measles, like fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash.

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