Due to concerns regarding a measles outbreak, the health bureau in Allentown, Pa., told five residents to stay home from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3. When resident Tamika Brown refused, the city’s health director alerted the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas and Ms. Brown was brought to court Oct. 21. A judge ordered Ms. Brown to stay home until Nov. 3, with the health bureau responsible for providing food, water and medical care during the quarantine.
As of Oct. 21, none of the five people quarantined have shown measles symptoms, a city spokesperson told NBC Philadelphia, adding that it’s the city’s first court-ordered quarantine in nearly 20 years.
NBC Philadelphia was unable to reach Ms. Brown for comment.
Measles is highly contagious, with symptoms of high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes appearing 7-14 days after contact with the virus, according to the CDC. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.
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