Possible Measles Case Reported By Mount Nittany Health Tests Negative

A possible measles case reported in Centre County has tested negative for the virus, Pennsylvania Department of Health press secretary Nate Wardle confirmed on Friday night.

The case was reported to the state health department on Thursday morning by the Mount Nittany Health Physicians Group Pediatrics office in Boalsburg.

Anissa Ilie, communications coordinator for Mount Nittany Health, said that the office remained open in accordance with Department of Health guidelines, but that out of caution other patients were called and given the option of rescheduling their appointments.

‘[O]ut of an abundance of caution, the Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics location at Mount Nittany Health – Boalsburg immediately reported a possible case of measles to the Pennsylvania Department of Health Thursday morning and followed all DOH guidelines to ensure the safety of patients and staff,’ Ilie said. ‘Our first priority is to protect the health of our patients and the community.’

With the Boalsburg case testing negative, no measles cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania this year. According to the CDC, 555 cases of measles have been reported in 20 states this year through April 11, making it the largest second largest number of cases since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.

Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through coughing and sneezing. According to the CDC, it typically begins with symptoms including a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out, usually beginning as red spots that appear on the face and hairline, and then spreads downward across the body.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine received as a child are considered effective in preventing the virus.

Measles outbreaks in any given year are generally attributed to an increase in the number of travelers abroad who get measles and bring it back to the U.S. and the further spread in U.S. communities with pockets of people who are unvaccinated, according to the CDC.

Common complications from measles include ear infections and diarrhea. More severe, though less common complications, include pneumonia and encephalitis.