Even before a single case of measles was reported this week in neighboring Allegheny County, the director of the Butler Memorial Hospital emergency room took action.

Dr. Dave Rottinghaus, an emergency medicine physician and chief medical officer at the Butler Health System, said on Thursday that he and other doctors who serve patients in the hospital's ER have studied up on symptoms of and treatment for the measles.

But because young parents and even young grandparents have never had to deal with measles, they should also educate themselves on the virulent disease that is sweeping the nation.

“It's an outbreak of such a scope that I think everyone needs to be aware, especially the unvaccinated or those who are several years from their most recent measles vaccination,” Rottinghaus said.

He said he was not aware of any cases of measles in the county as of Thursday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control website, 704 cases of measles were reported nationwide between Jan. 1 and April 26. That's the highest number of cases reported since 1994.

Some parents are eschewing some or all infant and childhood vaccines for their offspring for a number of reasons.

“It's a hot topic, but measles is fully preventable with the vaccine,” Rottinghaus said.

He stopped short of discussing “anti-vaxxers,” or parents who feel vaccinations are bad for their children.

“I encourage people to seek reputable sources of medical advice,” Rottinghaus said.

He said there is no way of knowing whether measles will turn up in Butler County, given the diagnosis in Allegheny County.

“The CDC and epidemiologists are taking this very seriously,” Rottinghaus said. “Regarding the potential spread here, we are certainly preparing ourselves in the emergency department and physicians are aware to brush up on the signs and symptoms of measles, and how we would test for measles and the potential quarantines.”

He said the Butler Health System is also educating pediatricians and other health care providers who would potentially see cases of measles.

“We're getting everyone back up to speed on what to do in case of measles or suspected measles,” Rottinghaus said.

He said measles symptoms in infants and children are fever, diarrhea, upper respiratory symptoms, runny nose, sore throat and a rash that appears a few days after symptoms present themselves.

“Adults can get it,” Rottinghaus said. “They have the same symptoms, but a lot of times adults get a worse version of the illness.”

He said death from measles typically occurs in cases of severe complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which is infection in and swelling of the brain.

When encephalitis sets in, Rottinghaus said, there is often not much that doctors can do for the patient.

“That's really kind of the worst-case scenario,” he said.

Should unvaccinated children or adults experience the symptoms, they should call their doctor for instructions on how to be examined without potentially exposing others.

“I've certainly spent some time re-educating myself on measles and what to look for,” Rottinghaus said.

Five cases of measles have been confirmed in Allegheny County, and one of those individuals spent time at the Pittsburgh International Airport.