Seven measles cases have been reported in Schuylkill County this year, according to state Health Dept. data.
The county’s count was unchanged in the Health Dept.’s update released Monday, after rising from three to seven last week.
Health Dept. data 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 first case of measles in Schuylkill County was reported a little more than a month ago.
The seven Schuylkill County cases are part of 1,360 reported across Pennsylvania this year. Cases have been reported in 44 Pennsylvania counties.
The most cases (478) have been reported in Lancaster County since the beginning of this year. Mifflin County is second with 194. Most of the 1,360 cases statewide were reported after Aug. 1, and the most cases in any single week, 143, came the week of Sept. 7. More than 840 cases have been reported in people between the ages of 18-49.
Among the seven counties that border Schuylkill, Lebanon County has the most cases reported this year with 21. Northumberland County has 12, Dauphin County has 11, Berks County has seven, and Columbia County has five. Carbon and Luzerne counties have no cases, according to Health Dept. data.
Measles is highly contagious. As of the Health Dept.’s weekly review released Monday, the agency had found no evidence of community transmission of the disease in Schuylkill County. The Health Dept. says 16 counties do have evidence of community transmission: Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Franklin, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Mercer, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Warren, 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, 258 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.
The Health Dept. has 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.
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