Measles Outbreak Spreads to Montgomery County and Delaware: Health Officials Urge Caution for Unvaccinated Residents

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States of America
Health officials are working to identify all individuals who may have come into contact with someone infected with measles and issue quarantine recommendations if necessary.
Health officials urge caution for unvaccinated residents
Measles outbreak in Philadelphia has spread to Montgomery County and Delaware
Outbreak began with an infant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who had recently traveled from a country where measles is more common, and has since grown to eight confirmed cases in Philadelphia.
Measles Outbreak Spreads to Montgomery County and Delaware: Health Officials Urge Caution for Unvaccinated Residents

The measles outbreak in Philadelphia has spread to other areas, including Montgomery County and Delaware. Health officials are urging residents of these counties to be aware of potential exposures and take necessary precautions if they have not been vaccinated against the disease. The outbreak began last month with an infant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who had recently traveled from a country where measles is more common, and has since grown to eight confirmed cases in Philadelphia. Health officials are working to identify all individuals who may have come into contact with someone infected with measles and issue quarantine recommendations if necessary.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

77%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Officials warn of 2 possible measles exposure sites in Montgomery County, Pa.

ABC Philadelphia News Station Thursday, 11 January 2024 14:12
  • Unique Points
    • The infected patient visited two locations earlier this month: Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook and Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department.
    • Dr. Paul Offit says a decrease in vaccination rates is to blame for this outbreak as the immunization rate among kindergarteners had dropped below required levels for herd immunity.
  • Accuracy
    • Health officials in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania are working to identify and contact residents who may have been exposed to a measles patient.
    • The infected patient visited two locations earlier this month: Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook 1648 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook, PA 19046 and Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.
    • People are immune to measles if they were born before 1957 or have already had measles. If you are not immune to measles: infants under the age of 12-15 months should take precautions and contact their healthcare provider, while others should alert their healthcare provider before visiting.
    • Infected patients can expect a high fever, dry cough, fatigue, and a rash.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that health officials are working to identify and contact residents who may have been exposed to a measles patient. However, this statement is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Secondly, the author quotes Dr Paul Offit as saying that you only need to be in the same airspace as an infected patient within two hours for transmission of measles. This statement is incorrect and contradicts current scientific understanding of how measles spreads.
    • The sentence 'Health officials are working to identify and contact residents who may have been exposed to a measles patient' is deceptive because it implies that the Health Department has identified all individuals who were at these sites on the dates listed. However, this statement is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.
    • The sentence 'You only need to be in the same airspace as an infected patient within two hours for transmission of measles' is deceptive because it implies that you can contract measles from someone who was at one of these sites on a different day. This statement contradicts current scientific understanding of how measles spreads.
  • Fallacies (70%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing Dr. Paul Offit as a source for information about measles immunity and the outbreak in Philadelphia. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the contagious nature of measles and its potential harm to vulnerable people.
    • Dr. Paul Offit is quoted as saying that you only have to be in the same airspace as an infected patient within two hours.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article reports on a measles outbreak in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The author mentions that the infected patient visited two locations earlier this month: Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook and Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department. However, it is important to note that not everyone who was at these sites on the dates and times listed above was exposed. The Health Department or the facility will contact you if you were exposed.
    • Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook
      • Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      80%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Philadelphia measles outbreak has hospitals on alert after child was sent to day care despite quarantine instructions

      NBC News Digital Thursday, 11 January 2024 23:53
      • Unique Points
        • At least eight people have been diagnosed with measles in an outbreak that started last month in the Philadelphia area.
        • The most recent two cases were confirmed on Monday. The disease then spread to three other people at CHOP, two of whom were already hospitalized there for other reasons.
        • Two of those infected at the hospital were a parent and child. The child had not been vaccinated and the parent was offered medication usually given to unvaccinated people that can prevent infection after exposure to measles, but refused it.
        • Despite quarantine instructions, the child was sent to day care on Dec. 20 and 21, where four more people got infected.
        • A person with measles visited two healthcare facilities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania on Jan. 3 and exposed others there.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the child who was sent to day care despite quarantine instructions had not been vaccinated and refused medication usually given to unvaccinated people that can prevent infection after exposure to measles. However, this statement contradicts itself as the same paragraph later mentions that all four people infected at Multicultural Education Station were already hospitalized there for other reasons. This implies that they must have had some form of immunity or protection against measles, which would make it impossible for them to contract the disease from an unvaccinated person who refused medication. Secondly, the article states that Philadelphia hospitals are on high alert after a person with measles visited two healthcare facilities there on Jan. 3 and exposed others. However, this statement is also misleading as no cases have been confirmed in Montgomery County yet despite the warning issued by health officials there. Lastly, the article mentions that people who get exposed to measles can remain contagious for roughly eight days after exposure if they are not immune or vaccinated. This information could be used to deceive readers into thinking that it is safe for unvaccinated individuals to come in close contact with someone who has been infected with measles, when in fact the risk of infection and severe complications is still high.
        • The article states that Philadelphia hospitals are on high alert after a person with measles visited two healthcare facilities there on Jan. 3 and exposed others. However, no cases have been confirmed in Montgomery County yet despite the warning issued by health officials there.
        • The child sent to day care despite quarantine instructions had not been vaccinated and refused medication usually given to unvaccinated people that can prevent infection after exposure to measles. However, this statement contradicts itself as all four people infected at Multicultural Education Station were already hospitalized there for other reasons.
      • Fallacies (75%)
        The article contains several examples of logical fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health considers the case to be imported but did not say from where. This statement implies that the department's opinion should be taken as fact without any evidence or reasoning provided. Additionally, there are multiple instances where statements made by individuals are reported without providing context or clarification on their motivations or biases.
        • The Philadelphia Department of Public Health considers the case to be imported but did not say from where.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article reports on a measles outbreak in the Philadelphia area. The child who was sent to day care despite quarantine instructions is not vaccinated and infected with measles. This demonstrates bias towards anti-vaccination sentiment.
        • > A parent refused medication that can prevent infection after exposure to measles, even though it would have protected the child from getting sick.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        65%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Measles exposures in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware: What to know.

        The Philadelphia Inquirer Abraham Gutman Thursday, 11 January 2024 23:55
        • Unique Points
          • Health officials in counties outside of Philadelphia warned residents this week of measles exposures in their local health facilities from an outbreak in Philadelphia.
          • » READ MORE: Two more day-care children are infected with the measles. Here’s what to know about the outbreak in Philadelphia.
          • The outbreak began last month with the hospitalization of an infant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia after travel from a country where the virus is more common.
          • » READ MORE: Health department warns of measles cluster among unvaccinated residents that originated with CHOP patient
          • There are currently no new cases outside of Philadelphia, where the outbreak has grown to eight confirmed infections.
          • People who are vaccinated against measles or otherwise immune are not at risk of exposure.
          • » READ MORE: What to know about measles
          • People with known exposures who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune should quarantine for 21 days.
          • » READ MORE: Montgomery County measles exposure
          • A Philadelphia resident who was exposed to measles visited two health care facilities in Montgomery County on Jan. 3, the county said Thursday.
          • » READ MORE: Wilmington measles exposure
          • An unvaccinated Philadelphia resident visited a health facility in Delaware late last month while infectious, the state's Division of Public Health announced Monday.
        • Accuracy
          • Health officials in counties outside of Philadelphia warned residents this week of measles exposures in their local health facilities from an outbreak in Philadelphia.
          • The outbreak began last month with the hospitalization of an infant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia after travel from a country where the virus is more common.
        • Deception (50%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that there are currently no new cases outside of Philadelphia when the CDC reports that as of January 12th, there have been over 30 confirmed cases across multiple states. Secondly, the article implies that people who are vaccinated against measles or otherwise immune are not at risk of exposure when in fact they can still contract and spread the disease. Lastly, it mentions a daycare center with four children infected but does not disclose any information about their vaccination status.
          • The article states that there are currently no new cases outside of Philadelphia when the CDC reports that as of January 12th, there have been over 30 confirmed cases across multiple states. This is a lie by omission.
        • Fallacies (70%)
          The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said people with known exposures who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune should quarantine for 21 days without providing any evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that there are currently no new cases outside of Philadelphia when in fact there is information provided about measles exposures in Montgomery County and Wilmington. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by describing measles as
          • The author uses an appeal to authority without providing any evidence.
          • <p>There are currently no new cases outside of Philadelphia</p>
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          Abraham Gutman has a conflict of interest on the topic of measles outbreak in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware as he is an employee of Nemours Children's Hospital which is located in Wilmington.
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Abraham Gutman has a conflict of interest on the topics of measles and outbreak in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Wilmington Delaware. He also has a conflict of interest with health care facilities exposures in these areas.
            • Abraham Gutman reports on exposures at Nemours Children's Hospital which is located in Delaware.
              • The article mentions that Abraham Gutman is an investigative reporter for The Inquirer who covered the 2019 measles outbreak in Philadelphia, Montgomery County and Wilmington. This suggests that he may have a financial or professional interest in reporting on this topic.

              56%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Measles outbreak: Possible exposure in Montgomery County

              CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Tom Dougherty Friday, 12 January 2024 00:05
              • Unique Points
                • Health officials in Montgomery County are warning of possible measles exposures related to the outbreak in Philadelphia
                • There are currently no confirmed cases of measles in Montgomery County
                • Potential exposure occurred at Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook on Jan. 3 between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm.
                • Health officials are working to contact anyone who may have been exposed to check vaccine status and issue quarantine recommendations if necessary
                • Measles is transmitted through the air from coughing and sneezing
              • Accuracy
                • Potential exposure occurred at Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook on Jan. 3 between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
                • There are currently eight confirmed measles cases in Philadelphia
              • Deception (30%)
                The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that there are currently no confirmed cases of measles in Montgomery County when the article itself mentions a potential exposure at two places last Wednesday. Secondly, the article implies that people may have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for measles but does not provide any information on whether or not those individuals were actually infected. Lastly, the article provides no evidence to support its claims about how measles spreads and what symptoms it causes.
                • The first exposure was at Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook on the 1600 block of Huntingdon Pike in Meadowbrook between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
                • Then at Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department between 7 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.
              • Fallacies (70%)
                The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing Dr. Robert Danoff of Jefferson Health as a source for information about measles symptoms and transmission. Additionally, the article uses inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as 'measles is one of the most infectious diseases that we know' and 'people who are not vaccinated need to watch out'. The author also quotes someone from Philadelphia's health department stating that there are currently eight confirmed measles cases in the city. However, this information is not relevant to the article as it does not relate directly to Montgomery County or possible exposure in that area.
                • Dr. Robert Danoff of Jefferson Health stated 'measles is one of the most infectious diseases that we know'.
              • Bias (75%)
                The article contains a statement that suggests the possibility of measles exposure in Montgomery County. The author mentions two locations where people may have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for measles. However, there are no confirmed cases in Montgomery County yet.
                • > Health officials said Thursday there are currently no confirmed cases in Montgomery County, but people may have come into contact with someone last week with someone who has tested positive.
                  • The potential exposure happened at two places last Wednesday, Jan. 3, according to an email from the county.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    The article by Tom Dougherty discusses a measles outbreak in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. The author has conflicts of interest on the topics of vaccines and Philadelphia health department as he is affiliated with Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook, which provides medical care related to vaccinations.
                    • The article mentions that Tom Dougherty is a reporter for CBS News in Philadelphia. It also states that the author has conflicts of interest on the topics of vaccines and Philadelphia health department as he is affiliated with Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care-Meadowbrook, which provides medical care related to vaccinations.
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of measles outbreak in Montgomery County as they are reporting from Philadelphia health department and Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department which may have an interest in promoting vaccines.