PHILADELPHIA (
WPHL) — The Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Pennsylvania Department of Health issued a notification about a potential
measles exposure.
On Wednesday, the health departments announced potential exposures at the following locations:
- South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center
- This building includes CHOP Pediatric Primary Care South Philadelphia, Health Department Health Center #2, and the South Philadelphia Library, though there were no potential exposures in the library.
- 1700 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145
- Friday, March 7, 2025, between 10:45 a.m. and 2:40 p.m.
- Saturday, March 8, 2025, between 9:05 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.
- CHOP Emergency Department
- 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
- Monday, March 10, 2025, 7:55 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Health officials confirm this case is not connected to the recent measles case in Montgomery County or other parts of the country. According to the health departments, the person involved in this case was exposed while traveling abroad.
Below are recommendations from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health:
- If you were potentially exposed at any of the previously listed locations during the indicated times, you should follow the instructions below to determine if you are protected (immune) from measles, and symptoms to look out for if you are not protected. If you were not in these buildings during those times, you do not need to follow these instructions.
- Determine if you are protected against measles. Generally, you are considered protected if you:
- Were born before 1957, or
- Have already had measles, or
- Have a blood test showing immunity to measles, or
- Have written documentation of adequate vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine)
- Look at your vaccination records or ask your healthcare provider to see if you have already had the age-appropriate dose or doses of this vaccine.
- Measles vaccine is routinely recommended for children 12–15 months old with a second dose given at age 4–6 years. Infants under 12 months are not routinely eligible for vaccine and are not protected.
If you are protected from measles, you do not have to do anything. Measles vaccine is extremely effective at preventing measles.
- If you are not protected from measles, there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
- If you were at the CHOP Emergency Department on March 10 during the times listed above, you should receive a dose of MMR vaccine before Thursday, March 13. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn how you can get this vaccine. The Health Department has additional resources on where to get vaccines on their website. If you do not receive an MMR vaccine, you will need to stay home for 21 days.
- If you were at the South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center on March 7 during the times listed above, you should contact your healthcare provider and stay at home until Thursday, March 27. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms.
- If you were at the South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center on March 8 during the times listed above, you should contact your healthcare provider and stay at home until Friday, March 28. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms.
- If you are under 12 months of age, pregnant and not immune, or are immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) and were at any of the exposure locations, you should consult with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- If you develop any measles-like symptoms through Monday, March 31, 2025, contact your doctor immediately. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and puffy eyes, followed by rash. Tell your doctor before visiting that you may have been exposed to measles. You should also notify the Philadelphia Department of Public Health by calling 215-685-6740, then pressing option 5.