There is no treatment for measles, but it can be prevented with childhood vaccinations, according to the chief of pediatrics at Allegheny Health Network.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus spread by contact and can remain alive in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, said Dr. Joseph Aracri, who chairs the pediatrics department at AHN.

“It spreads by contact with an infected person. All you can do is avoid them. There’s not much else you can do prevent the spread of measles,” Aracri said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s measles dashboard, there have been 89 new positive measles cases reported between Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 and 393 total cases reported since the start of 2026. Two of those who tested positive have died, marking Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in 35 years.

While no positive cases have been reported from Butler County, four have been reported from counties bordering Butler, including two from Clarion, one from Venango and one from Mercer.

In addition, a patient at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh was confirmed positive Thursday, Aug. 20. However, according to the Allegheny County Health Department, the individual was not from the county.

Symptoms of measles begin with a fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes followed by a red spotty flat rash. A person is contagious four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash disappears, Aracri said.

The rash begins inside the mouth, spreads to the trunk of the body and then to the rest of the body, he said.

The symptoms begin to appear seven to 14 days after a person is infected and the rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms appear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The measles vaccine is typically administered to children twice, at ages 1 and 4. There is only one strain of the measles virus. The vaccine to prevent it is the same one that has been used for a long time, Aracri said.

“The number-one thing you can do is get your child immunized,” Aracri said.

Out of all positive measles cases in Pennsylvania in 2026, none were reportedly from individuals who were fully vaccinated, according to official state data.

Parents in Pennsylvania may have gotten the message. According to Pennsylvania’s measles dashboard, there has been a surge in measles vaccinations in August, with 1,999 MMR doses administered by Department of Health staff — making up nearly half the total of 4,163 for the entirety of 2026 to date.

In the event of an outbreak at a school, children older than 6 months who have had their first shot should get their second shot instead of waiting until they turn 4, he said.

Parents should call their healthcare provider or the state Department of Health instead of taking their children to a doctor’s office or a hospital emergency department if an outbreak occurs, he said.

Contact tracing could help identify infected children, he added.

“There’s no treatment for measles. That’s why it’s important to immunize,” Aracri said. “There is a definite concern in the community.”

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health’s School Health Program maintains publicly-available information on the vaccination rates at schools across the state. In Butler County, 96.6% of 12th-grade students have received the MMR vaccine, along with 94.5% of seventh-grade students and 93.1% of kindergarten students.

These are all slightly below the statewide averages of 96.9% for 12th-grade students, 94.6% for seventh-grade students and 93.2% for kindergarten students.

Brian White, superintendent for the Butler Area School District, said the district has already sent out its usual guidelines to parents on what vaccinations are required for their students to attend school for the upcoming year. A list of the required immunizations is available on the school district’s website.

“State law says students have to have the required immunizations or they have to provide the documentation that they have a medical or religious reason they don't have that vaccination,” White said.

Although the ongoing measles outbreak hasn’t reached Butler County yet, Susan Miller, assistant superintendent for Slippery Rock Area School District, said the district is more than adequately prepared for whatever might come next.

“Our school nurses are outstanding in terms of clinical knowledge and keeping up to date with current health concerns,” Miller said. “We work closely with the (Pennsylvania) Department of Education and the Department of Health. Both of these agencies disseminate timely information and provide us with recommendations.

“In addition, we employ numerous infection control practices that include hygiene practices, routine cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and optimizing indoor air ventilation.”

In case worse comes to worse and a district has a child test positive, both are emphasizing transparency with families and state health officials.

“If we have cases, we make sure that the health department knows and we make sure our families know so they can make decisions for themselves about how that impacts their health,” White said regarding Butler Area School District’s plans.

“The district has an exposure response plan that would identify positive cases, possible exposures and communicate the need for isolation,” Miller said. “The district also has a communication plan that would provide specific information for those students and individuals exposed and general information that we would share with the school community.”

Butler Memorial Hospital has also taken precautions.

“In preparation for the potential arrival of measles in our region, Independence Health System has implemented screening procedures at Butler Memorial Hospital and Clarion Hospital,” said Dr. Michael Fiorina, chief medical officer at Independence Health System. “People may be asked about exposure to those who have been diagnosed with measles, as well as any symptoms specific to that illness.”

Since April, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has also held 87 pop-up vaccine clinics, administering over 2,500 doses of the MMR vaccine.

“Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need,” said DOH press secretary Neil Ruhland.