2 measles cases confirmed in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania: "This is the worst it's ever been"
Measles cases have reached the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.
St. Luke's University Health Network said Tuesday it's treating two cases in siblings, including one who had to be hospitalized.
"I've been practicing in Pennsylvania for 26 years," Dr. Jennifer Janco, chair of the St. Luke's Pediatric Department. "This is the worst it's ever been. I have a front row seat to a show I don't want."
The children treated for measles in the Lehigh Valley weren't vaccinated, like all of the other cases in the commonwealth this year, Janco said.
"The older child became quite ill with their measles to the point of dehydration and needed to be admitted to the hospital, both for IV fluids and continued monitoring of the measles symptoms," Janco said.
"I'm worried, and I want parents to pay attention ... and it is disproportionately dangerous in children," she added.
Most people usually survive initially, but Janco said the infection can turn deadly later.
"Seven to eight years later it can come back and really affect the brain in a fatal way, and there really is no cure when that happens," Janco said.
As of July 30, 2,371 measles cases were reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Aug. 3, 176 cases were reported in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Thirty-five have been reported in the last seven days, with a big jump in outbreaks in Lancaster and Chester counties.
Health officials in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, launched an immunization campaign, hoping to stop or at least limit the spread of measles.
In Delaware, health officials declared a measles outbreak with eight cases in Kent County, according to the state's department of public health.
In New Jersey, one case has been confirmed. Philadelphia, Delaware and Bucks counties have no reported cases.
What is measles and what are the symptoms?
Measles is caused by a virus and is transmitted through the air from coughing and sneezing, according to the CDC. It spreads very easily because it can linger in the air for hours.
The symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red and watery eyes, followed by rash, according to health officials.
Preventing measles
Some doctors said the increase in measles cases is directly linked to a drop in vaccinations.
Protection from measles is included in the shot for measles, mumps and rubella, known as the MMR vaccine, which is typically given to children in two doses, one at 12 to 15 months and another at 4 to 6 years old, according to the CDC. It's also part of the MMRV vaccine, which includes varicella (chicken pox).
The vaccine is safe and is extremely effective at preventing measles, and adults can be vaccinated, too, as needed.
