Officials: Possible measles case in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Health Department said on Friday it is investigating a report of a possible measles case.

They call it a case of "physician-suspected measles."

The patient is a 15-year-old boy. There was no immediate word as to where the boy lives, with the health department is only saying he is from Montgomery County.

"The patient has been evaluated and testing has been conducted in order to determine if this is a true case of measles. Specimens are currently being delivered to the State Public Health Laboratory," the health department said in a statement.

"The patient is self-isolating at home under the guidance of MCHD until the results of the lab work are completed."

Officials from the Montgomery County Health Department would not speak on camera but they say the investigation is ongoing.

Dr. Dyanne Westerberg, from Cooper University Hospital, says this is about measles in general.

"As long as he's quarantined and only in contact with people who've had measles or the measles vaccination, then everything should be fine. The problem comes when he's exposed to people who have not had the disease or the vaccination. It's highly contagious," said Dr. Westerberg.

Some parents and others are concerned about the health department not giving out any more information about the suspected case in Montgomery County.

"And if they're not telling you who it is, I don't think that's fair," said Dorothy Sonnedag.

"I was really concerned. I'm thinking they need to be more forthcoming and let everybody know what's going on so we can be aware and be able to identify where this kid is so we can make sure our kids are immunized," said Donna Yates.

This comes amid a measles outbreak in the United States, with more than 100 cases reported.

In California, a Santa Monica daycare reopened its doors on Friday after a baby there came down with the measles, but only for children who have been vaccinated. 14 babies there who may have been exposed are being kept home, ordered to quarantine for 21 days.

Five more babies are believed to have contracted measles at a daycare outside Chicago.

Measles had been declared completely eliminated just 15 years ago.

Measles can be serious - in some cases, leading to swell of the brain and even death.

All parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children.