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Possible Measles Exposure for Hospital Patients

People in northeastern and central Pennsylvania may have been exposed to a highly contagious viral disease. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said two cases...

People in northeastern and central Pennsylvania may have been exposed to a highly contagious viral disease.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said two cases of measles possibly occurred at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg and Geisinger Medical Center near Danville.

Anyone who may have been at the Foss Clinic on April 23 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. or took a ride in the Geisinger shuttle between 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. could be at risk.

The head of infection control at Geisinger, Dr. Lisa Esolen, said to look out for symptoms.

"There's usually a fever, cough, stuffy, runny nose for a couple of days. Then after a couple of days, a rash begins."

A doctor at Geisinger said in cases like these, it's so important to get vaccinated, not only for yourself, but for everyone around you.

"It can go onto pneumonia and it can even be fatal," said Dr. Esolen.

The doctor said it's unlikely you will get the disease if you've had an immunization, but she believes the general public doesn't really understand measles or why they should be vaccinated.

"Prior to 1957 when we didn't have vaccination, everybody knew, they say cases, they were involved. Now, we see so few cases that people have forgotten," said Esolen.

"When I was a kid your parents took can of it, they took you to a doctor and you got vaccinated. Now, I don't really think people know what it is," said Freddie Shepperson from Danville.

Officials at Pocono Medical Center said they have contacted everyone they believe may have been exposed.

If you believe you may have been in contact with the disease, experts say to call your doctor first.

It's also important to note that some symptoms may not show up for a few weeks.

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