NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — An unvaccinated child on Long Island contracted measles and has been hospitalized, health officials said on Saturday, in the third confirmed case of the illness in New York State this year.
The announcement came after the case was confirmed positive on Friday night by the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany.
Health officials confirmed that the patient lives in Nassau County and is an unvaccinated young child, though the child’s exact age was not disclosed.
There is no indication that the child traveled abroad, and the patient has been hospitalized with all necessary infection control procedures in place, authorities said.
Health officials urged the public to respect the privacy of the child and their family.
The NYSDOH is working in collaboration with the Nassau County Department of Health to investigate the case.
“Nassau County Department of Health is closely investigating potential exposures and taking the necessary proactive steps to prevent the spread of measles,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease and is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions from infected people and is potentially life-threatening, especially to young children.
Symptoms first develop as a fever, then turn to cough, runny nose and/or watery eyes, followed by the appearance of a rash, health officials said.
The range during which someone is contagious is four days before and four days after the appearance of a rash.
The NCDOH is encouraging Nassau County residents who may have been exposed or who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic or local emergency department before seeking care to keep people in those facilities from exposure.
Measles symptoms typically appear 10-12 days after exposure, but may appear within 7-21 days. The incubation period for measles is 21 days, which is how long people exposed to measles should quarantine after exposure, health officials said.
The NCDOH said in a release that “the single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.” To be fully protected, individuals should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine.
These two doses are typically administered at 12-15 months of age and then at four to six years of age, though people can be vaccinated later in life.
Measles immunization is required for enrollment in New York State schools, daycares and pre-kindergarten, and since 1990, college students have been required to prove immunization against measles.
Individuals are considered immune to measles if they were born before 1957, are vaccinated, have had measles before or have a laboratory test confirming immunity.
“The measles cases we are seeing in New York, around the country, and around the world, are a clear indication that our immunization rates are at a dangerously low level,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Our message is clear: if your child has not been immunized for measles with a two-dose Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine ... as the state’s doctor I strongly urge you to do so immediately.”
This positive case is the third case in New York State this year, following two confirmed cases out of New York City.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, 80.9% of children age 2 in Nassau County and 82.1% of children age 2 in Suffolk County have received the first dose of the MMR vaccine, according to data reported to the state Immunization Information System.
Gelman joined McDonald in emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent cases like this.
“We strongly encourage all residents to protect their health by ensuring they are up-to-date on important, lifesaving immunizations,” she said.