April 19th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a fourth measles case in a Maryland resident. The MDH wants to inform anyone who visited 4000 Old Court Rd in Pikesville on Tuesday, April 16 from 9:15 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. that they may have been exposed to measles. Individuals who may have been exposed at additional locations are being notified directly.

Measles cases in Maryland have been localized to a small geographic area within zip codes 21208, 21209 and 21215.

 

“While the outbreak is currently localized to a small area of the state, the best way to prevent measles in Maryland, or anywhere people might travel, is through vaccination,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances B. Phillips, RN, MHA. “We continue to encourage all Marylanders to get vaccinated or check with their health care providers to ensure they and their families are up-to-date on vaccinations.”

 

Maryland case count information and a list of all of the public exposure locations can be found on the MDH site here.

 

The MDH recommends the following for people who might have been exposed to measles:

If you are healthy and know you have had two doses of MMR vaccine, you do not need to take any additional actions

• If your immune system is currently weakened by disease or medications, even if you have received two doses of MMR vaccine, call your health care provider right away and tell them you might have been exposed to measles as you might need a medication called immune globulin
• If you know you have NOT received two doses of MMR vaccine, or if you aren’t sure whether or not you have received two doses of MMR vaccine, call your health care provider right away to determine next steps since you might need a dose of MMR vaccine or a medication called immune globulin
• Monitor for possible symptoms of measles, such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash, and call your health care provider before visiting their office so they can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk