10/09/2026
The Chester County Health Department is notifying residents of a possible measles exposure that took place at the following locations on Sunday, October 4, 2026:
CVS 870 Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square 19348; between 10:45 AM – 3:00 PM
CVS 857 West Baltimore Pike, West Grove 19390; between 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Giant 849 Baltimore Pike, West Grove 19390; between 1:00 PM – 3:45 PM
The individual with measles was present at these locations while contagious. The Health Department encourages people who were in these locations during the listed times to check whether they are protected (immune) against measles.
Generally, you are considered protected (immune) against measles if any of the following apply to you:
Born before 1957, or have already had measles, or have received at least one of the two doses of measles-containing vaccine (usually given as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine).
If you are protected from measles, you do not have to take further action. MMR vaccines are extremely effective at preventing measles.
If you are not protected from measles and may have been exposed, and you develop any of the following symptoms that appear like measles, call your doctor immediately. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by rash starting on the head. Tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to measles. Do not visit a healthcare facility before calling ahead to let them know you have been exposed to measles.
Anyone who is not protected, is unsure of their vaccination status, is an infant, is pregnant and not immune, or is immunocompromised should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. People who aren’t protected against measles can get the virus up to two hours after someone with measles left the same room or airspace.
The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by rash. In some people, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection, and death. Measles is contagious for 4 days before to 4 days after rash starts.
If you are not immune and may have been exposed, you could give measles to someone at high risk before developing a rash. To prevent that from happening, please wear a mask in indoor public spaces and around anyone who is unvaccinated until 3 weeks after the exposure.
The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective and is the best way to avoid serious complications of a vaccine-preventable disease. The MMR vaccine is routinely recommended for patients 12–15 months old with a second dose given at age 4–6 years. Infants under 12 months are not routinely eligible for the vaccine and are not protected. An early first dose of MMR (dose 0) is recommended for infants 6–11 months of age.
More information is available on the Health Department website: www.chesco.org/measles.
