UPDATE 3/5/2019 @ 6:00 p.m.: Additional testing and evaluation of the suspected measles case currently under investigation by the St. Mary’s County Health Department has found that the individual in question does not have measles.
__________________________________________________
The St. Mary’s County Health Department in Southern Maryland is currently investigating a possible measles outbreak.
A patient was emitted to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department on Sunday, March 3rd. The patient was isolated, after arriving at the hospital, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional testing is currently underway. The hospital is working with the Health Department to confirm is a case of the measles.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease, that can lead to a rash and fever. The disease is passed on through coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms:
- 7 – 14 days after infection:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees
- Runny nose
- Red/watery eyes
- Cough
- 3-5 days later:
- A rash of flat red spots begins to appear on the face and spreads downward over the entire body
- Small red bumps can develop on top of the flat red spots
- Red spots may join together to form larger red areas
If you think you have measles, to give them time to prepare, please CALL your primary care doctor BEFORE heading to the emergency room.
A local hotline (301-475-4911) has been established to take questions and concerns from community members and will be open today, March 5, 2019 from 9:00 am-10:00 pm.
Source | Photo by Getty Images