Montgomery County health officials say a person with measles visited a Royersford car dealership and a Limerick Wawa several times while contagious, potentially exposing anyone who was there at the same time. The visits happened between Feb. 16 and Feb. 19, and the county is urging anyone who was at those locations during the listed windows to keep a close eye out for symptoms. Residents who develop a fever, rash or respiratory symptoms should call a health care provider before showing up in person so they do not risk exposing others in the waiting room.
Where and when the exposure happened
According to the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the individual was at Nissan 422 of Limerick (55 Autopark Boulevard, Royersford) on Monday, Feb. 16 from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 8:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and at the Wawa in Limerick (579 N. Lewis Road) on Feb. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Feb. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Feb. 19 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Local reporting from CBS Philadelphia lists the same exposure windows and notes that the county advisory also covers the two hours after the person left each site.
How measles spreads and what to watch for
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and symptoms typically appear 7–21 days after exposure, according to the CDC. Health officials say people who may have been exposed should monitor for fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash for a full 21 days, and call a provider in advance if they start to feel sick so clinicians can take steps to prevent further exposure.
Why this matters locally
This latest exposure follows a small cluster of measles activity in Pennsylvania earlier this month, including a five-case outbreak in Lancaster County, and local public-health coverage says officials are investigating possible links. Vaccination gaps add to the concern. Axios Philadelphia reports that many Pennsylvania counties fall short of the 95% MMR coverage public-health experts say is needed to prevent spread.
What to do now
Montgomery County's Office of Public Health recommends checking your vaccination records and contacting its communicable disease line at 610-278-5117 (after hours 610-635-4300) or your health care provider for testing guidance and next steps. The county's detailed measles guidance is posted online. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly protective, and anyone unsure of their immunity should talk with their doctor or consult the CDC for vaccine information and locations.
