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LOCK HAVEN -- As measles is making a comeback nationwide, Clinton County has only reported one case of the contagious disease.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is tracking the number of reported cases county-by-county with the majority of central Pa. seeing a limited number.
Measles is considered highly contagious, with symptoms typically developing between seven and 21 days after exposure. Those symptoms may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, Koplik spots inside the mouth and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
According to DOH's statistics, Clinton and Lycoming counties have reported only one case since April.
In Centre County, 13 cases have been reported.
Earlier in the month, Mount Nittany Health reported measles exposure at two of its facilities -- Mount Nittany Health Toftrees and Mount Nittany Medical Center's Emergency Room.
Due to the exposure, the healthcare system has implemented measles screening tests at its outpatient facilities and is encouraging patients who believe they may be experiencing symptoms to contact their primary care provider.
Geisinger Medical Center in Danville also reported potential measles exposure at its facility this month.
A release from Geisinger said the exposure involved one person on its campus between 1 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 9 p.m. on Aug. 13 with this person present in its emergency department waiting room, the pediatric emergency department, Janet Weis Children's hospital second floor, the Atrium and Fluoroscopy during that time.
"Our top priority is always to keep our patients, staff and the community safe," Michael Fitzpatrick, MD, Geisinger's Central Region chief medical officer said in a statement earlier this month. "While the risk for people who are immune to measles is low, we want those who may have been on campus during this period to have the information they need to understand their risk and take appropriate precautions."
Geisinger noted those who are considered generally low risk for measles would be those born before 1957, have previously had the illness or have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Geisinger implemented additional precautions at public entrances at facilities throughout its Central Region, including Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union and Schuylkill counties.
Both Geisinger and Mount Nittany Health stressed the best way to combat measles was vaccination.
Last week, Geisinger also updated its policy regarding visitation at its NICU.
"Effective immediately, visitation to the GMC NICU will be limited to only the patient's parents or legal guardians if they do not have signs or symptoms associated with measles. Parents and legal guardians will be screened for symptoms upon entering the hospital as part of the hospital's new entrance screening protocols that were implemented on Monday, Aug. 17," the release said. "NICU visitors are highly encouraged to wear a surgical mask before entering the unit. These new visitation rules only apply to Danville's NICU."
The release said this protocol was going into effect after a visitor at its NICU tested positive for measles. The individual was present on the GMC campus from 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17. Upon review, the individual only visited the NICU and Ronald McDonald House Danville while on campus.
UPMC has not reported any cases of possible measles exposure, but a spokesperson for the healthcare network said its staff are taking steps to ensure the safety of its patients.
"UPMC is prepared to safely care for patients with potential measles infection or known exposure to someone with measles. We follow established precautions to provide that care while protecting all in our facilities," the spokesperson told The Express. "Early notification is key -- if you know or suspect that you or your child has been exposed to someone with measles or have symptoms consistent with measles, please alert your health care provider before arriving at the health care facility. Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles."