Two More Cases of Measles Reported in Schuylkill County

Three measles cases have been reported in Schuylkill County this year, according to state Health Dept. data.

The count for Schuylkill County rose from two to three in the Health Dept.’s update released Friday. Two of the three cases have been reported in the last two weeks. The dashboard tracks cases reported since the start of the year and does not say when any individual case occurred, or whether the people who had measles are still sick.

The three Schuylkill County cases are part of 1,260 reported across Pennsylvania this year. Cases have been reported in 43 Pennsylvania counties, with Blair County appearing in the data for the first time in Friday’s update.

The most cases (452) have been reported in Lancaster County since the beginning of this year. Mifflin County is second with 193. Most of the 1,260 cases statewide were reported after Aug. 1, and the most cases in any single week, 145, came the week of Sept. 7. More than 780 cases have been reported in people between the ages of 18-49, according to Health Dept. data.

Among the seven counties that border Schuylkill, Lebanon County has the most cases reported this year with 21. Dauphin County has 10, Northumberland County has nine, Berks County has seven, and Columbia County has five. Carbon and Luzerne counties have no cases listed in Health Dept. data. None of the seven are among the counties where the Health Dept. has found evidence of community transmission.

Measles is highly contagious. However, as of the Health Dept.’s most recent weekly review, dated Oct. 12, the agency had found no evidence of community transmission of the disease in Schuylkill County. The Health Dept. says 12 counties do have evidence of community transmission: Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, Union, and York. Coughing or sneezing can easily spread the virus and measles can live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves an area.

Measles victims often acquire a blotchy rash. However, an infected person can spread measles up to four days before a rash appears.

Other symptoms of measles include a high fever, coughing, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These symptoms can last up to two weeks. Though most cases of measles are not fatal, hospitalization may be required for treatment.

Statewide, 238 people have been hospitalized this year and five deaths have been linked to measles. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk of developing serious symptoms, the Health Dept. says.

State officials have not responded to questions from Coal Region Canary about the Schuylkill County cases, including when they were reported, where in the county the patients live, and whether any of the cases are still active. The agency does not release that information on its thrice weekly updates.

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