In late December, approximately 20 to 30 individuals may have been exposed to measles at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, as announced by the Delaware Department of Health on Thursday. The potential exposure occurred on December 29, 2023, when individuals were in contact with a person who, although not displaying symptoms, was infectious during their visit to the facility. The Department of Health has taken measures to identify those potentially exposed, issuing quarantine orders as necessary, and notifying individuals who visited Nemours on that day between 6 a.m. and noon.
Delaware residents uncertain about their vaccination status are encouraged to check the DelVAX Public Portal for their personal profiles or consult their primary health providers.
This incident follows an ongoing measles outbreak in Philadelphia, where two more cases were reported earlier this week, bringing the total to eight. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health noted that no additional confirmed cases have been reported since Monday. Additionally, there are warnings about a potential measles exposure in Montgomery County.
Measles is highly contagious and primarily spreads through the air via coughing and sneezing. Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure, and individuals who suspect they have measles, especially those with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, should seek immediate healthcare and contact their primary care provider. The characteristic measles rash typically appears three to five days after the initial symptoms, starting at the forehead and spreading across the body.