Why Should Delaware Care?
Measles is a highly contagious virus able to spread quickly among people. Though it has been considered “eliminated” in the U.S. since 2000, cases have been rising in recent years in states like South Carolina and Utah. A reported exposure at a Wilmington area children’s hospital could bring the virus to the First State.
Delaware’s principal pediatric facility, Nemours Children’s Health, reported a measles exposure in its emergency room last week, which could lead to the first case of the virus in the state in more than a decade. The state says it is still in the process of contact tracing and will notify those who may have been exposed.
There have not been any confirmed measles cases in Delaware since the exposure, a spokesperson for the state’s health department said, and the incident involved someone from out of state who sought care at the Wilmington-area hospital.
In a statement from Nemours, a spokesperson said that the hospital is following “all public health guidelines” surrounding the exposure at the hospital.
“We will continue to work with the Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Nemours Children’s Employee Health for appropriate follow-up for individuals in line with all public health guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
For those exposed, early symptoms of measles could include a fever, runny nose, cough and pink eye. After three to five days, a rash around the face could appear and spread down the body. In severe cases, measles could lead to brain inflammation, pneumonia or death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most measles deaths in 2024 were unvaccinated children younger than 5 years old. The WHO also said vaccination is the best way to prevent getting measles.
In 2000, the U.S. declared measles was eliminated. But last year, cases hit their highest level since that elimination declaration amid a wave of vaccine skepticism, according to the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
In South Carolina, where a measles outbreak has reached nearly 1,000 cases, officials have recommended that residents seek vaccination.
Last March, as the number of measles cases continued to rise across the country, state officials released information on how to protect children from contracting measles and information about vaccines. According to that release, Delaware had not experienced a case of measles in more than a decade.
A report from the News Journal in 1926 said the state had experienced 410 cases of measles since the start of that calendar year. That same report also said state officials weighed closing public schools as the cases started to rise.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Measles is highly contagious, and one person can infect multiple other people if those people aren’t vaccinated. Symptoms can take days, or even weeks, to show themselves, the state said.
If someone is exposed or begins showing symptoms, the state health department said they should call its Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. The state offers two phone numbers, one for business hours, as well as a 24-hour hotline:
- Business hours line: 302-744-4990
- 24-hour hotline: 888-295-5156
The state recommends that people exposed to measles find a dose of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine within three days. According to a press release, these vaccines can be found at primary care clinics and pharmacies, and residents should notify their preferred providers to find out more.
Two of the nation’s top pharmacy chains, CVS and Walgreens, both offer the MMR vaccine. Patients can schedule appointments online:
Children ages 1 through 12 are eligible for the vaccine and usually receive two doses. The first dose is usually administered after a child’s first birthday and then again after a few years.
According to the state, those who receive the vaccine are protected for life if they receive both doses, though like all vaccines, the state says there is still a nominal chance someone could contract the virus if they are vaccinated.