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Pennsylvania Health Department Advises of Possible Measles Exposure

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An international traveler diagnosed with measles may have made several stops in Pennsylvania last week.   State Health officials say the visitor arrived in Philadelphia on August 14th and departed on the 17th. 

Christine Cronkright, Director of Communications at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, says there are people who could be at risk, including infants less than one year of age who have not been vaccinated, people who received the inactivated vaccine between 1963 and 67 or those born after 1957 who only received one dose of the vaccine.

Cronkright says people who may have been exposed and may be vulnerable to measles should call their health care provider or reach out to the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-Health.  She says symptoms could develop as late as September 7th if people were exposed during those time periods.

Cronkright says the youngest and oldest populations are at most risk for severe complications from measles.

Health Officials say people may have been exposed to measles at these locations, dates and times:

Philadelphia County

  • Aug. 14, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Greyhound Bus Lines station, 1001 Filbert St.
  • Aug. 14, 5 p.m. to Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m., Philadelphia-Historic District Holiday Inn, 400 Arch St.
  • Aug. 15, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Ride the Ducks Duck Boat Tour (Zone 1), beginning at 6th and Chestnut Sts.
  • Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 30th St. Station, 2955 Market St.
  •          The individual departed on the Amtrak Keystone Line Train #643 to Lancaster, Pa.
  • Aug. 17, 1:30– 5 p.m., 30th St. Station, 2955 Market St.
  •           The individual departed on the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train #171 to Manassas, Va.

Lancaster County

  • Aug. 16, 12:06 – 3:30 p.m. and 5:40-9:10 p.m., Lancaster Amtrak stop, 53 McGovern Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
  • The individual arrived via the Amtrak Keystone Line Train #643 from Philadelphia, Pa., which then went on to Harrisburg, Pa.; he left on a 6:10 p.m. train, Keystone Service # 656, to Philadelphia, Pa. which then went on to New York City. Persons riding between Lancaster and Harrisburg or between Philadelphia and New York City might also have been exposed to the measles virus that could remain in the air inside the train.
  • Aug. 16, 2:30 – 7 p.m. at the following locations:
  • Amish Experience at Plain and Fancy Farm, 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, Pa.
  • Glick’s Roadside Stand, 248A Monterey Road, Bird-in-Hand, Pa.
  • Riehl’s Farm/Quilt Shop, 247 E. Eby Road, Leola, Pa   

Mummies are a Hit in Philadelphia

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After barely a month on display at The Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, Mummies of the World – The Exhibition has drawn visitors from all 50-states and 20-countries.  “Truly the statistics are astounding,” says Troy Collins, senior vice president of programs marketing and development at The Franklin Institute.  He says it’s a testament to both the exhibition and the city.  “Philadelphia remains a top destination not only for domestic, but for international visitors as well.” 

Tourism was up in Philadelphia, last year, both domestic and international.

Mummies of the World

Mummies of the World -- The Exhibtion

The visitors are being drawn to the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assembled.  “The exhibit explores mummification from far beyond the Egyptian standpoint,” Collins says.  In fact, it includes specimens from South America, Europe and Asia too.  The ticketed event opened at The Franklin Institute on June 18th, and will run through October 23rd.  If you plan on attending note that time slots do sell out in advance, so Collins recommends online reservations.

Mummies of the World is in the midst of an exclusive seven-city, three-year US tour.  It started in Los Angeles last July and will head to Charlotte, NC next. 

(Photo credits: Darryl Moan (insert) and Lippisches Landesmuseum, Detmold, Germany (banner))

Philadelphia Native Commands Final Space Shuttle Flight

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Christopher J. Ferguson, Commander, STS-135

The last mission for the U S Space Shuttle program is scheduled for lift off the morning of July 8.  A Pennsylvania native will be the commander of the flight.

Christopher Ferguson, a retired Navy Captain, was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School and Drexel University. He joined NASA in 1998.  The Atlantis flight will be his third space shuttle mission.  He also served as commander of STS-126, the November, 2008 flight of Endeavour and pilot of STS-115, the September 2006 flight of Atlantis.  Commander Ferguson served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM)  for STS-118, 120, 128 and 129.

Ferguson says the four member crew for this flight of Atlantis has a very busy, event-filled, packed 12 day mission that they will have to pull off before they can finish up on the runway and celebrate the 30 year history of the space shuttle program.

Ferguson believes the legacy of the shuttle program is the inspiration it provides.  He remembers watching the very first shuttle launch on a television in a college cafeteria.  He remembers thinking it would just be fantastic to be part of a program like that.

Ferguson says Atlantis has the right crew for the right time.  He says they had only nine months to train, and four crew members to do it with, and they’ve managed to get an awful lot of work done.  He adds it’s an experienced crew.

Commander Ferguson still has family living in the Philadelphia area.  Prior to entering the space program, he was a Navy pilot. He received his commission from the Navy ROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania.

**Photos Courtesy of NASA.