COURTHOUSE — a 47-year-old lower Merion woman contracted measles on a trip to Africa, and Montgomery County Health Department is alerting others who may have come in contact with her in the local area.the Montgomery County resident traveled to Malawi, Africa, in July where there is a large, ongoing measles outbreak, according to the Health Department. Currently, this is the only person in the county identified as a having the disease.County investigators and staff from local health care facilities have contacted a many people believed to have been at a lower Merion grocery store, medical and dental offices, a hospital lab and Philadelphia International Airport in late July and early August, who might have come in contact with her.while most of those exposed have been found to be immune to the disease, those without an immunity have been asked to stay home until they are cleared of risk.Measles is spread by infected droplets during sneezing or coughing, contaminated objects, and direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons. the virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people, according to health officials. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to two hours.For more info, read the alert below:Measles in Traveler According to the Health Department, measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye.” after two or three days, tiny white spots appear in the mouth. after two more days, a raised, red rash starts on the face and spreads down the body and out to the arms and legs. the rash usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms start about 10 days after exposure and last one to two weeks. after about five days, the rash fades in the same order it appeared.the woman may have exposed people at the following locations and times:Dr. Rosenberg’s dental office and waiting area on Montgomery Avenue in Narberth between 9 a.m. and noon on July 27. at Acme on Montgomery Avenue in Narberth and Whole Foods on East Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood between July 27 and July 29.the woman was reportedly at Philadelphia International Airport at the US Airways baggage claim between 6 and 9:30 p.m. on July 28. on July 30, she was at Longport, N.J., beach.on Aug. 3, anyone at the Delaware Valley Infectious Disease Associates office and waiting area on East Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood may have been exposed between 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. that same day, the sick woman was at Lankenau Hospital Lab on East Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood between 1:15 and 3:30 p.m.Health officials recommend getting vaccines prior to travelling. Visit cdc.gov/travel for information about vaccines that are necessary for specific trip destination. Those planning overseas trips can contact PENN Travel Medicine, part of the University of Pennsylvania Health system, to arrange for obtaining vaccines.Now with children ready to return to school, it is important they get vaccinated as well. Parents should contact the family doctor to obtain the needed vaccines, or if necessary, make an appointment with the Health Department to get the vaccines.