Possible Measles Exposure Reported at Philadelphia Children's Hospital

Health officials in Philadelphia are warning the public about a possible measles exposure at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, known as CHOP. The exposure happened on Sept. 11 at the hospital's main campus. Officials are working quickly to protect patients, especially newborn babies in the hospital's intensive care unit.

The possible exposures took place in several areas of the hospital between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. These locations included the NICU West unit, the NICU West family lounge, and the hospital's main atrium. The main cafeteria was also a possible exposure site from 12:05 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Because newborn babies are too young to be vaccinated, doctors and nurses are giving them a special preventive medicine called an antibody product. This medicine can help stop measles from developing or make the illness less severe. CHOP, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and city health officials are all working together to keep the babies safe and stop the disease from spreading further.

Health officials are also asking everyone to check whether their vaccinations are up to date. Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. If you were at CHOP on Sept. 11 and are not immune to measles, you should watch for symptoms through Oct. 2 and call your doctor right away if any appear.

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson urged everyone who can get vaccinated to do so. She said that getting vaccinated protects not only yourself, but also people who are unable to get vaccinated. She added that it is very important for everyone who is eligible to stay current on their vaccines to protect the most vulnerable people in the community.

Measles is caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can stay in the air for several hours, making it one of the most contagious diseases known. The best protection against measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. A related vaccine called MMRV also protects against chickenpox.

The Philadelphia exposures are part of a larger measles outbreak happening across Pennsylvania. As of this week, the state has reported 731 cases this year, with 117 new cases in just the past seven days. Four people in Pennsylvania have died from measles-related causes in 2026. Cases have been reported in several counties, including 67 in Chester County, four in Berks County, three in Montgomery County, and two in Lehigh County.