Third Measles Case Confirmed in Maryland

By MD Dept of Health
Posted on 04/18/19

Possible Public Exposures at Three Locations in Pikesville

Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a third measles case in a Maryland resident. The MDH wants to inform anyone who visited the following locations during the times noted below that they may have been exposed to measles.

• 4000 Old Court Rd in Pikesville on Sunday, April 14 from 10:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m.
• Market Maven (1630 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville) on Sunday, April 14 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Seven Mile Market (201 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville) on Sunday, April 14 from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Individuals who may have been exposed at additional locations are being notified directly.

“It is concerning that three cases of measles have been identified in Maryland in such a short period of time,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances B. Phillips, RN, MHA. “The measles virus can spread very easily between unvaccinated people, and there have been large outbreaks in several other areas of the country. Vaccination is the best way to stop additional infections. We are asking that Marylanders ensure they and their families are up-to-date on vaccinations against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.” 

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 doctor 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 doctor 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 doctor 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

Measles is a contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection which is easily spread to unvaccinated persons through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth. The measles virus may remain in the air for up to two hours. Measles symptoms typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus but can develop as soon as seven days or as long as 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms of measles are fever more than 101F, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. A person with measles is contagious beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins. 

If you or your family member needs MMR vaccine, first check with your health care provider. If your health care provider does not have MMR vaccine available, you can reach out to your pharmacist to see if they carry it. In Maryland, a pharmacist may administer any vaccines included in the CDC's recommended Immunization Schedule to individuals ages 11 to 17 who have a prescription. For those age 18 years or older, prescriptions are not required to administer vaccines as long as they are one of the adult vaccines listed by the CDC. For information about pricing and insurance reimbursement, check with your pharmacist and insurance provider.    

Additional information is available on the MDH website at https://health.maryland.gov/measles.