A highly contagious measles outbreak originating at the pediatric intensive care unit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has resulted in dozens contracting the dangerous viral infection in recent weeks.

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First Signs of Trouble

The first indication of something amiss occurred in early December when a hospital staff member and two subsequent patients came down with rashes and high fevers characteristic of measles infection. By December 14th, CHOP had six confirmed patient cases. Given measles’ extreme transmissibility through airborne particles, officials acted swiftly to contain the spread.

Hospital Implements Emergency Measures

Recognizing the dire threat to their vulnerable patient population, hospital administrators immediately implemented emergency outbreak protocols. These measures included mandatory isolation or negative test proof before allowing visitors and strictly limiting unnecessary patient transport. Additional prevention efforts like rapidly checking employee vaccination records, administering immunoglobulin to treat known cases, and accelerating measles vaccine booster shots continue.

Virus Continues Circulating

CHOP has confirmed over 30 measles infections despite their rapid response measures, mainly in pediatric intensive care and oncology patients. Dozens more likely exposed individuals across several outpatient CHOP facilities are also being monitored closely or receiving preventative treatment if eligible. Given that one single infected person can easily pass on measles to 90% of unprotected people nearby, extinguishing this stubborn outbreak remains an immense challenge.

Why Measles Continues to Threaten

Measles is amongst the most contagious human viruses, capable of lingering active in airspace or on surfaces for hours after an infected individual passes through. Before the introduction of the vaccine in 1963, measles infected 90% of US children before the age of 15 and killed 400-500 citizens annually. Thanks to widespread vaccination, by 2000, endemic measles was declared eliminated from the United States, with only scattered imported cases occurring since.

However, falling immunization rates in communities with vaccine hesitancy threaten to undo decades of progress. As of October 2022, less than 93% of US kindergarten students had received their two required measles vaccine doses – well under the needed 95% for resilient herd immunity. Experts fear that complacency about measles may bring more significant and frequent outbreaks.

Ongoing Efforts Against the Virus

Children’s Hospital staff continue working tirelessly alongside Philadelphia Department of Health officials to track infections, isolate patients, and curb transmission chains. Their actions also prompted a statewide alert to regional healthcare providers recommending measles infection precautions & prevention guidance. Officials hope immunizing remaining susceptible patients, employees and community members can finally halt this stubborn outbreak before springtime.

For a highly infectious and potentially fatal pediatric virus like measles, though relegated to the history books, this sudden resurgence provides a vital reminder that herd immunity through vaccination remains our most potent and only defence. CHOP’s outbreak battle continues but must not be in vain. Only refortifying immunity gaps in our communities can prevent such dangerous viruses from finding chances to reemerge once more.