Penn State Health notifies public of potential measles exposures in Hershey and Lancaster
Penn State Health is notifying the public of a potential measles exposure at Lancaster Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital in Hershey.
Penn State Health confirmed an individual tested positive for measles and may have exposed others due to their presence in the following locations:
- Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
- Emergency Department, between 10:50 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 4:04 a.m. on Oct. 19.
- Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital
- Pediatric Perianesthesia Unit (2nd floor post-operative recovery area), from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 19.
- Main Lobby and 6th Floor Lobby, between 3:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21.
Penn State Health advises anyone who may have been exposed to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms. Individuals who are not vaccinated (especially pregnant women and children less than 12 months of age) or anyone who has a weakened immune system due to disease or medication are most at-risk for severe infection and should contact their physician immediately for next steps.
Getting vaccinated is the best protection from the highly contagious measles virus, providing 97% lifetime protection after two doses.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, even after the infected person leaves the area.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head or face and spreads downward. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure.
Penn State Health is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. People who believe they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately or call the Department’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
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