Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

    Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

    July 10, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Diddy Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges, Cleared of Sex Trafficking

    July 8, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

    July 4, 2025
  • Lifestyle

    Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

    July 10, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Diddy Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges, Cleared of Sex Trafficking

    July 8, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

    July 4, 2025
  • Relationships

    Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

    July 10, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Diddy Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges, Cleared of Sex Trafficking

    July 8, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

    July 4, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

    Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

    July 10, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Diddy Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges, Cleared of Sex Trafficking

    July 8, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

    July 4, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025

    DDG Files Restraining Order Against Halle Bailey

    June 10, 2025
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » “We’re Holding Our Breaths,” Philadelphia Officials Speak About Measles Outbreak
General

“We’re Holding Our Breaths,” Philadelphia Officials Speak About Measles Outbreak

DamilareBy DamilareJanuary 22, 20244 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
MMR vaccine
Source: AP
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
MMR vaccine
Source: AP

When a man like Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the health commissioner of Philadelphia, says something like, “We’re at a stage where we’re holding our breath,” you tend to worry. Especially as a resident of the city. 

However, Bettigole did say that, and he meant it because Philadelphia may be on the brink of a measles outbreak. Yes, this is happening even though there is a very effective vaccine that works against measles and has been around for decades. 

A virus causes measles, and it is extremely infectious. Just one person with measles can infect about 18 people with ease. This is because it spreads via tiny aerosol-like droplets that can infect people in the same airspaces. 

There does not even have to be direct contact. After an infected patient visits a room, it usually takes two hours before it’s safe for uninfected people to enter too. Early symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose or red, watery eyes, or pinkeye. 

ALSO READ: Heavy Storm Forces Evacuation as Water Levels Rise in Northeast Rivers

A few days later, the infected develop a higher fever, and a reddish or hyper-pigmented rash starts to appear. It starts at the hairline on the face before spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, and legs. Some people can also develop tiny white spots, called Koplik spots, in the mouth.

The deadly virus had been loose in the city for about two weeks before authorities got whiff of the exposures at the day care facility. By the time word of the outbreak arrived, it was too late for children and adults at the facility to get a measles vaccine if they didn’t already have one. 

The first case was an infant who a patient at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between December 6 and 9, with an infection that later turned out to be measles. The infected infant seemingly contracted the virus while abroad though it’s unclear what country or region the child’s family visited. 

The family returned to the Philadelphia area, and doctors at Children’s Hospital treated the child for fever and respiratory symptoms. However it was measles. It quickly spread, infecting three unimmunized patients in adjacent rooms, setting off the outbreak.

POLL—Do You Support a Single-Payer Healthcare System (Medicare for All)?

There were no other exposures at Children’s Hospital. People suspected of exposure to it got post-exposure prophylaxis immune globin. It uses plasma containing antibodies to immediately protect against measles.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, more cases sprung up around the city. By then, those with sick children had visited several health facilities in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs before the city health department received notice of their infections, putting additional institutions on notice for possible exposures to the virus. 

Authorities are now looking for possible infections in the area of the daycare center and other parts of the with low vaccination rates. The city has also listed exposures at several health systems: 

  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s emergency room on Dec. 28 and New Year’s Day.
  • Nemours Children’s Hospital, in Center City, on Dec. 29.
  • Christopher’s Hospital for Children, in North Philadelphia, in the emergency department on Dec. 30-31 and its inpatient unit between Dec. 31 and Jan. 3.
  • Nazareth Hospital’s emergency department, in the city’s northeast, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2.
  • Jefferson Abington Hospital’s emergency room and Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care, both in suburbs just north of Philadelphia, on Jan. 3.

Little wonder the city is holding its breath, the situation could prove deadly. About a fifth of people who get measles will be hospitalized. 1 in 1,000 develops encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, which can lead to convulsions, deafness, or intellectual disabilities.

ALSO READ: SFWMD Released Footage Captures Manatees Seeking Refuge

Deaths are commonly caused by pneumonia and dehydration. Expect about 1 to 3 in 1,000 children with measles to die from respiratory or neurologic complications. Measles has not been commonplace in the US since the early 1960s when the vaccine was developed. 

Vaccination against the virus provides near-total protection. However, rates have declined nationwide due to misinformation and conspiracies around vaccines. Such theories will have to be shelved and those vaccines will have to be taken to prevent a full blown pandemic. 

You Might Also Like:

Expert Warns That California and New York’s Reparations Efforts Are Counterproductive

Trump’s Comments About Civil War Sparks Backlash from Civil Rights Group

Galveston County Officials Combat Cartel Operatives and Human Smugglers at Texas Border

These Are Some of the Pioneers of the Trans and Gender-Bending Community

SFWMD Released Footage Captures Manatees Seeking Refuge

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleNorthwest Struck by Heavy Snowfall as Tornadoes Triggered by Winter Storm Hits Florida
Next Article NRA Dissociates From Longtime Leader Wayne LaPierre in Opening Speech at Civil Trial

Related Posts

General

Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

July 4, 2025
General

Jeff Bezos Wedding Surprise: The One-of-a-Kind Gift for Every Guest

July 1, 2025
General

Jessica Alba Paid Tribute to Estranged Husband Cash Warren on First Father’s Day After Their Split

June 19, 2025
Latest Posts

Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Sid Wilson During Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell

July 10, 2025

Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

July 9, 2025

Diddy Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges, Cleared of Sex Trafficking

July 8, 2025

Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

July 7, 2025

Rihanna’s Pregnancy Update: A$AP Rocky Hints at Baby’s Sex

July 4, 2025

Brad Pitt and Ines De Ramon: Inside His New Relationship After Divorce

July 3, 2025

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom Split After Nearly 10 Years Together

July 2, 2025

Jeff Bezos Wedding Surprise: The One-of-a-Kind Gift for Every Guest

July 1, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: info@gistfest.com

MOST POPULAR

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Jacob’s Ladder Piercing: All You Need To Know

July 21, 2023

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.