Area health networks are gearing up for the measles.

The first case of measles discovered this year in Pennsylvania was reported in Montgomery County. On March 2, Montgomery County health officials released possible locations that were visited by an infected child who was too young to have received a vaccination yet may have exposed others, including an airport shuttle bus and medical offices in Plymouth Meeting and King of Prussia.

Across the country, health officials say West Texas now has almost 200 measles cases and New Mexico’s case number has tripled to 30. The case counts were updated on Friday. A child died of measles in Texas last week. New Mexico health officials said Friday they are investigating an adult measles-related death.

The Centers for Disease Control’s measles info sheet describes measles as “airborne, extremely infectious” and a “potentially severe rash illness.”

Symptoms for the contagious disease begin with a fever, runny nose and conjunctivitis; by day three, a rash starts on the head and travels downward across the body, said Mark Shelly, M.D., an infectious disease and medical director for infection prevention at Geisinger.

Shelly said the virus can remain airborne after a sick person has been in a location and infect others. The CDC reported it can “ live in the air for two hours .”

“I don’t wish measles on anyone,” Shelly said, explaining that Geisinger is following protocols to help manage any measles cases area doctors might encounter, including a reminder for their staff to consider measles as a possible cause of related symptoms.

Shelly said the hospital probably won’t send any new reminders for people to get vaccinated, as it’s a continual effort.

“I don’t know if there will be an increase in that activity, it’s already fairly intense when someone is going into kindergarten,” Shelly said. “It’s out there, it’s part of regular practice.”

Meanwhile, he personally reinforced the suggestion.

“I urge as many people to be vaccinated as possible so it’s advantage people and not advantage measles,” he said.

He said measles is “tremendously easily transmitted,” and that anyone admitted to Geisinger with measles would be treated in a more extreme manner than with COVID-19 cases.

“We’d have someone in airborne isolation, which is a step up from COVID,” he said, adding that N-95 masks would be used, but that “out in the wild, the simplest covering to their face captures a lot of aerosol. I encourage that,” acknowledging that some people may not be keen to return to the days of mask wearing.

“We all have PTSD about masks, but masks will and should be a part of their lives,” he said, adding that seeing a mask worn in public should be seen as a form of generosity. “Think about it as how they want you to be well.”

Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at the Wright Center for Community Health, prompted Pennsylvanians to take the opportunity to stay healthy.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, and this positive case reminds us how vaccination is the best defense against it and severe illness,” Sheth said. “The care teams at our regional community health centers are aware of the case and are prepared to take every precaution to prevent transmission and protect staff and other patients.”

Sheth also reminded the public to get measles vaccinations, it they haven’t already.

“I urge everyone, especially parents, to ensure their families are current on their vaccinations,” Sheth said. “Protecting yourself also helps protect the most vulnerable in our communities, including infants and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccinations remain our strongest tool in preventing further spread and keeping our communities safe and healthy for everyone.”

A news release issued by the Wright Center stated that Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical unit called Driving Better Health, “provide affordable, high-quality whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.”

The sick child was reported as having traveled Feb. 25 and 26 from JFK International Airport aboard a China Airlines transportation shuttle bus to Pho Ha Saigon at 575 Adams Ave. in North Philadelphia. Stops on the route not previously reported, per the China Airlines shuttle bus website, included six additional stops across New Jersey and Pennsylvania — in Fort Lee, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Jersey City, Edison and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and South Philadelphia, with a final stop in North Philadelphia, as reported.

China Airlines Airport Shuttle Bus: Departing JFK Airport Terminal 4, arriving at North Philadelphia, Pho Ha Saigon, 757 Adams Ave., Philadelphia, from Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m. to Feb. 26 at 3:15 a.m.; between Citibank & EZ Rent A Car: 2071 Lemoine Ave., Fort Lee, N.J.; Top Quality Food Market: 828 US-46, Parsippany-Troy Hills, N.J.; Asian Food Mart Food Inc.: 701 NJ-440, Jersey City, N.J.; Kam Man Food Inc.: 511 Old Post Road, Edison, N.J.; H Mart: 1720 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill, N.J.; South Philadelphia: Riverview Plaza, Pho Saigon (Washington Avenue and Columbus Boulevard), 1100 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia.; North Philadelphia: Pho Ha Saigon 575 Adams Ave., Philadelphia.

Later in the morning on Feb. 26, the sick child continued on to make two additional stops, per Montgomery County’s press release. Stops included True North Pediatrics Associates of Plymouth: 3031 Walton Road, #C101, Plymouth Meeting, 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.; and CHOP King of Prussia Campus: Emergency Department, 550 S. Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, 12:52 p.m.-3:02 p.m.

As of Thursday, the case was not listed on the CDC’s measles map, which states that the map is updated every Friday. However, multiple outlets reported on the story. The map shows 164 documented cases of measles in 2025, 93% of which are outbreak-associated. There were 285 total cases documented in 2024, with 69% outbreak-associated cases.

Teresa Harris, the communications manager for the public health office in Montgomery County, said that Northeast Pennsylvanians could potentially be at risk of contracting measles.

“Anyone who came in contact with this case, especially if they were not immunized for whatever reason, has the potential to get sick,” Harris said. “If you were here during this time period, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor if you start having symptoms.” She recommended that anyone feeling unwell “please call ahead, and the medical staff will instruct them on what they need to do when they arrive.”