PITTSBURGH - Health officials in Pittsburgh are now investigating five cases of measles they say are not related to the nationwide outbreak that has spread through 22 states.

The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday reported four additional measles cases involving one family in the county.

Three of the family members, two children who are unvaccinated, and one adult are not local residents but are visiting from overseas. The fourth family member is an adult county resident who is unvaccinated.

County health officials say these cases are not linked to the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. or to the measles case reported earlier in the week in a county resident.

Two of these individuals have reportedly not been outside the home while infectious and are not in contact with the public. One, however, is currently hospitalized and was at Enterprise Rent-aCar at 2260 Babcock Boulevard on Wednesday.

The exposure at that business would have been between the hours of 2-5 PM. One family member who is now recovered was infectious while traveling. That public exposure would have occurred at the Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday, April 16, during the hours of 7:30-10 AM.

The Health Department is urging anyone who is susceptible to measles or who becomes ill with symptoms of measles to contact their primary care provider immediately.

Do not go directly to the office, urgent care center or emergency room, as this may expose other persons.

Pregnant women should contact their doctor about their immune status. Health care providers who suspect measles should call the Health Department at 412-687-ACHD (412-683-2243) for consultation and to arrange testing.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through coughing, sneezing or other contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person. Symptoms typically appear 1-to-3 weeks after infection and include: rash; high fever; cough; nasal congestion; and red, watery eyes.

While most people are not at risk because they have been immunized or have had measles, those most at risk, according to Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), are:

• Infants less than one year of age who are too young to have received the MMR vaccine;

• Individuals who refused vaccination or who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons; and

• Individuals from parts of the world where there is low vaccination coverage or circulating measles.

One dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective and two doses is 97% effective.

The CDC’s vaccination recommendations include:

• Children 12 months or older should have two doses, the first at age 12-15 months and a second dose between 4-6 years.

• Healthcare personnel, college students, and international travelers should have two doses of MMR.

• Adults born during or after 1957 should have at least one dose of MMR or documented evidence of disease. Adults born before 1957 are considered immune.

• For international travel, infants 6-11 months should have one dose of MMR, and children 12 months of age and older should receive 2 doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.

ACHD recommends that any person who is due for measles vaccination schedule an appointment to receive it from their medical provider.

The vaccine is also available at the Health Department’s immunization clinic, located at 425 First Avenue, Fourth Floor, in downtown Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15219 (entrance is on Cherry Way).

There is no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for individuals who may have already received it. Clinic hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 AM-4 PM and on Wednesday: 1-8 PM.