HERSHEY, Pa. — With Pennsylvania recording the highest number of measles cases in the country in the recent national measles outbreak, primary healthcare providers across the state are preparing for potential cases in their own communities. To help doctors and clinic staff get the latest information, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) at Penn State College of Medicine is hosting a free, virtual session focused on the virus. The event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 15. Registration is required.
Handling a highly contagious disease like measles can be challenging for a standard primary care office. Many community clinics don’t have infectious disease experts on site. When a patient walks in with a suspected case, doctors need to know exactly what to look for, how to safely isolate the person and how to stop the virus from spreading.
“When we see a rise in measles cases, providers need answers fast,” said Jennifer Kraschnewski, director of Project ECHO and vice dean for research, clinical and translational science, at Penn State College of Medicine. “Patients trust their local doctors. Through Project ECHO, we can connect those doctors with specialists over video so they can ask questions, get updates and feel supported.”
The Nese Project ECHO: Special Edition Measles Session is open to clinical professionals and community health workers. Instead of just listening to a lecture, participants will use the program's "All Teach, All Learn" model to talk directly with experts and share what they are seeing in their own practices.
During the session, attendees will learn how to:
- Spot the signs early: Know what symptoms to look for before the typical measles rash shows up.
- Isolate safely: Learn practical ways to keep the virus from spreading in a small waiting room or clinic.
- Talk about vaccines: Get tips on having open, supportive conversations with parents who have questions about the measles vaccine.
- Follow state rules: Get up to speed on the latest steps for reporting cases to the state health department.
The session ties into a larger goal for Project ECHO: making sure that no matter where someone lives in Pennsylvania, their local doctor has the knowledge and backup to provide the best care possible.
Visit Project ECHO's website to learn more about the session and register for free.
This Project ECHO at Penn State program was made possible through the generous support of Ross and Carol Nese.