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All confirmed cases involve unvaccinated adult men in Kent County

DOVER, Del. — Delaware health officials have declared a measles outbreak after confirming four cases among unvaccinated adult men in Kent County.

The Delaware Division of Public Health announced Wednesday that two additional people had tested positive, bringing the state’s total to four. The first case was reported Monday, marking Delaware’s first confirmed measles infection in more than a decade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more measles cases connected by time and location.

DPH said extensive contact tracing is underway to identify people who may have been exposed. The agency will contact those individuals to determine whether they have been vaccinated and provide guidance about monitoring, vaccination and treatment.

State officials said they will release additional information if investigators identify any known public exposure locations. No public exposure locations were included in Wednesday’s announcement.

DPH did not release additional information about the patients, citing medical privacy restrictions.

Health officials urge vaccination checks

Delaware residents are being encouraged to confirm their vaccination status and check the records of their children.

People who are unsure whether they received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can review their information through the DelVAX Public Portal or contact their health care provider.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles in people who are not severely immunocompromised, according to DPH.

Children generally should receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months old and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. People who did not receive both doses during childhood should contact a health care provider about completing the vaccination series.

Infants between 6 and 11 months old who are traveling internationally or are in an area experiencing a measles outbreak or exposure may be advised to receive an early dose.

Vaccinations may be available through pharmacies, primary care providers, federally qualified health centers and Delaware public health clinics. Residents should call ahead to confirm vaccine availability.

People are generally considered protected against measles if they were born before 1957, previously had a laboratory-confirmed case of measles, have laboratory evidence of immunity or received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

Some residents face greater risks

People who are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised or too young to receive the vaccine face the greatest risk of serious complications during an outbreak, according to DPH.

Pregnant people, immunocompromised people and parents of children younger than 6 months who believe they were exposed should immediately contact a health care provider or the state Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990.

Unvaccinated people and those who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact a health care provider or public health clinic if they have been exposed.

Symptoms can take days to appear

Measles commonly begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A rash generally develops three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning on the face and spreading down the body.

The disease can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death.

Measles spreads through respiratory droplets and through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for as long as two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Infected people can spread the virus from four days before a rash appears through four days after the rash develops.

Fever typically develops about 10 days after exposure, although the period can range from seven to 12 days. A rash generally appears about 14 days after exposure but can develop between seven and 21 days later.

Call before visiting a medical facility

Anyone experiencing possible measles symptoms should contact a health care provider.

People who believe they may have measles or were exposed should call before entering a doctor’s office, clinic or emergency department. Advance notice allows medical personnel to take steps to reduce the risk of exposing other patients.

Residents without a primary care provider can contact a Delaware public health clinic.

Health care providers who identify a potential case should contact the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 during regular business hours. Cases outside normal business hours can be reported through the state’s 24-hour line at 888-295-5156.

What Delaware residents should know

• Confirmed cases: Four, all involving unvaccinated adult men in Kent County.
• Check vaccination records: Use the DelVAX Public Portal or contact a health care provider.
• Watch for symptoms: Fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that usually begins on the face.
• Call before seeking care: Anyone who may have measles or was exposed should alert the medical facility before arriving.
• Where to get vaccinated: Pharmacies, primary care providers, federally qualified health centers and Delaware public health clinics may offer the MMR vaccine. Call ahead to confirm availability.
• More information: Visit de.gov/measles.
• Public health clinics: publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/public-health-clinics/
• DPH infectious disease office: 302-744-4990
• After-hours reporting line: 888-295-5156

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