Measles Outbreak in Delaware: What Atracare Teams Need to Know

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is continuing to monitor an active measles outbreak in the state. Delaware currently has 23 confirmed measles cases, and all confirmed cases are in Kent County. DPH notes that newly confirmed cases are updated by noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

As the outbreak continues to evolve, Atracare is committed to protecting our patients, providers, and staff. Preparation at every clinical location is important so our teams can respond quickly and appropriately if a patient with suspected measles presents for care

Atracare Is Preparing for Possible Measles Cases

Each Atracare clinical site will have a room designated for patients with suspected measles, as determined by the site manager.

All clinical team members should speak with their manager to identify the designated room at their location and understand the site’s response plan.

Please inquire, plan, and prepare for the possibility of an escalation in cases.

This preparation supports current public health recommendations emphasizing the rapid identification and isolation of patients with known or suspected measles. Delaware DPH advises healthcare facilities not to allow patients with suspected measles to remain in waiting rooms or other common areas. Ideally, patients should be placed in a single-patient airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). If one is not available, DPH recommends isolating the patient in a single-patient room with the door closed.

CDC guidance similarly recommends that healthcare facilities plan in advance for suspected measles cases, rapidly separate symptomatic patients from others, and follow Standard and Airborne Precautions.

Review the Measles Quick Reference Guide

A Measles Quick Reference Guide is included with this update. Atracare clinical teams should review the guide and become familiar with the symptoms and steps to take before encountering a suspected case.

According to Delaware DPH, common symptoms of measles can include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red or watery eyes
• Rash

Healthcare professionals should consider measles in patients with a compatible fever and rash illness, particularly when there is a relevant history of travel or possible exposure.

CDC also identifies fever, cough, coryza or runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a characteristic rash among the clinical features providers should recognize.

Suspect Measles? Contact Delaware DPH Immediately

This is the most important takeaway for Atracare clinical teams:

If you suspect a case of measles, contact the Delaware Division of Public Health immediately. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation before reporting the suspected case.

Delaware physicians, laboratories, and other healthcare providers are required to report measles to DPH immediately upon identification. DPH specifically states that providers should not wait for test results before contacting the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

Immediate communication allows Atracare providers to collaborate with Delaware DPH on rapid testing, investigation, laboratory resources, and appropriate public health follow-up.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory currently offers nasopharyngeal PCR testing for measles. Providers or infection preventionists must first contact the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology for approval before requesting PCR testing through the state laboratory.

Delaware DPH Reporting Contacts

During regular business hours:
Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
302-744-4990

Outside normal business hours:
Delaware 24-Hour Reporting Line
1-888-295-5156

Delaware DPH states that urgent notification by phone is preferred for suspected measles cases.

Protecting Patients and Staff

Because measles can spread easily in healthcare environments, early recognition and infection-control measures are critical.

CDC recommends immediately masking and isolating a patient when measles is suspected, following Standard and Airborne Precautions, using appropriate respiratory protection, evaluating the patient for confirmatory testing, and immediately reporting the suspected case to the appropriate public health department.

Atracare’s site-specific planning, including identifying a designated room and reviewing procedures with managers, is intended to help our teams respond quickly while reducing potential exposure among patients, visitors, and staff.

The Bottom Line

Delaware currently has 23 confirmed measles cases, all in Kent County. Atracare will continue monitoring the situation and preparing our clinical locations as the outbreak develops.

Atracare team members should:

• Review the Measles Quick Reference Guide included with this update.
• Ask your manager which room has been designated for suspected measles patients at your clinical site.
• Review your site’s procedures and prepare for the possibility of additional cases.
• Quickly identify and isolate patients when measles is suspected, following Atracare protocols and current DPH and CDC guidance.
• Contact Delaware DPH immediately if you suspect a measles case. Do not wait for laboratory results before reporting.

Early communication with DPH gives Atracare access to the state’s epidemiology, laboratory, testing, and public health resources while helping protect both our patients and staff.

Resources

Delaware Division of Public Health — Measles
Current Delaware measles case count, vaccination information, outbreak updates, and public health resources.
https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/measles/

Delaware Health Alert #537 — DPH Confirms First Positive Measles Case in Over a Decade
Detailed Delaware guidance covering recognition of suspected cases, immediate reporting, patient isolation, laboratory testing, DPH contacts, and infection-control recommendations.
https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/delaware-health-alert-537-dph-confirms-first-positive-measles-case-in-over-a-decade/

Delaware Health Update #538 — Accelerated Measles Vaccination in Delaware
Updated guidance for Delaware healthcare professionals during the current Kent County outbreak, including reporting, isolation, PPE, testing, and vaccination considerations.
https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/delaware-health-update-538-accelerated-measles-vaccination-in-delaware/

CDC — Measles Clinical Diagnosis Fact Sheet
A concise healthcare-provider resource covering symptoms, isolation, testing, infection-control precautions, and immediate reporting of suspected cases.
CDC Measles Clinical Diagnosis Fact Sheet

CDC — Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings
Detailed infection-control guidance for healthcare facilities, including advance preparation, patient placement, Airborne Precautions, PPE, and healthcare personnel training.
CDC Measles Infection-Control Guidance

CDC — Clinical Overview of Measles
Clinical information for healthcare providers covering diagnosis, laboratory testing, reporting, symptoms, and outbreak response.
CDC Clinical Overview of Measles