Updated 2:15 p.m.
The first case of adult measles has been confirmed in an adult in Suffolk County, health officials announced yesterday.
The adult who arrived recently from outside of the United States and the case does not appear to be related to any current measles cases in New York State, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, which said it is investigating the case with the New York State Department of Health.
The county “will take appropriate action based on the findings,” the health department said in a press release.
Health officials did not provide information about the infected person except to indicate that they were in the BNB bank at 48 East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays , the King Kullen in Hampton Bays and the CVS in Southampton on Saturday, April 20.
Anyone who visited the BNB bank branch in Hampton Bays on April 20 between 12:15 and 1 p.m., or the King Kullen in Hampton Bays between 2:30 and 5 p.m., or the CVS in Southampton between 4:45 and 7 p.m. may have been exposed to measles.
People with questions should contact the county health department at 631-854-0333 during business hours. After hours and on the weekend, call 631-852-4820.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash.
People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.
Measles cases nationwide rank as the highest since the infection was declared eliminated in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases have been reported in 22 states, totaling 695 infections this year so far, according to the CDC.
“This current outbreak is deeply troubling and I call upon all healthcare providers to assure patients about the efficacy and safety of the measles vaccine, said CDC Director Robert Redfield in a statement Wednesday.
The high number of cases in 2019 is primarily the result of a few large outbreaks – one in Washington State and two large outbreaks in New York that started in late 2018. The outbreaks in New York City and New York State are among the largest and longest lasting since measles elimination in 2000. The longer these outbreaks continue, the greater the chance measles will again get a sustained foothold in the United States, according to the CDC.
Health officials urge all people to adhere to CDC vaccine guidelines to protect themselves, and their families.
Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider, the Suffolk health department said. Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life. In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.
In New York, parents can request exemptions from the vaccination requirements for children attending public school based on religious beliefs and certain medical conditions.
A growing movement against vaccinating leaves an increasing number of children at risk for infection, health officials say.
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