11+ Cases Of Measles In Rockland County

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Rockland Department of Health can confirm a total of 11 measles cases in the county. There are five primary cases and six secondary cases — cases in which someone in Rockland caught the disease locally.

Health department officials are working to confirm another three suspected cases as of Wednesday afternoon, said John Lyon, communications director for County Executive Ed Day.

Tuesday, the county had confirmed just seven cases.

SEE: Seven Cases Of Measles Confirmed In Rockland County

Rockland residents have been exposed to measles three times in the past month. The first case of an international traveler with measles was in late September, and more cases due to separate international travelers, three from Rockland and one from abroad in early October, are leading to more cases of measles among non-immune residents, officials said.

County health officials offered a free vaccine to residents who had been exposed on Oct. 11. Now they're offering two more chances for a free vaccine.

The Rockland County Health Department's next set of free MMR vaccine clinics are on:

• Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Outreach Center, located at 21 Remsen Avenue, Suite 201 in Monsey, NY
• Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Pascack Community Center, located at 87 New Clarkstown Rd., Nanuet NY

Call 845-364-2997 for more information about the MMR vaccine clinics. For information about measles, call the New York State Department of Health toll free Measles Information Line at (888) 364-4837.

Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children, as it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness, and death.

About one out of four people who get measles will be hospitalized.

Others who are at high risk for complications if they get the measles include pregnant women who are not immune, as well as those who are immuno-compromised or immuno-suppressed (when your body can't fight disease).

People who are unvaccinated risk getting infected with measles and spreading it to others, and they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions.

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.

Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red watery eyes) or runny nose. 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.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who have symptoms consistent with measles to call their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

SEE ALSO:

• Measles Exposure In Rockland County, Newark Airport
• Rockland, Westchester Exposed To Measles By Another Visitor
• After Recent Measles Scare, Rockland Offers Residents Free Vaccine
• Seven Cases Of Measles Confirmed In Rockland County

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