Measles Outbreak Declared Over By Philly Health Officials

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials in Philadelphia have declared the recent measles outbreak to be over.

This announcement comes 42 days with no new cases being identified.

During the outbreak, which began in December, eight Philadelphians and one person outside of Philadelphia tested positive for measles. Six of the Philadelphia cases were hospitalized, but all were ultimately discharged home.

Of the eight cases, six were in children and two were in adults.

Health officials said 93 percent of Philadelphians are up-to-date on their MMR vaccine, and credited that vaccination statistic for helping prevent the outbreak from growing.

"In the past, Philadelphia has suffered from extensive measles outbreaks," Dr. Landrus Burress, Health Department Director of Disease Control, said. "Thanks to quick work by our staff and collaboration with healthcare and childcare systems throughout the region, we were able to keep this outbreak small and quickly resolved. I am grateful to the hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians who have safely gotten their routine MMR vaccination, you helped keep us safe."

Officials urge residents to get the MMR vaccine, which includes two doses that tout a 97 percent effective rate at preventing measles infections.

People who have received two doses of vaccine and are not severely immune-compromised are very unlikely to get measles.

The MMR vaccine is available at many healthcare provider offices and pharmacies.