In the wake of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s declaration of a disaster emergency in response to an increase in measles cases throughout New York, the Ontario County Health Department disclosed it has identified four cases in the county as of Oct. 5.
The cases involved unvaccinated residents, according to Public Health Director Kate Ott. Further, all cases have been investigated and anyone who had been exposed has been contacted.
In Rochester, three children with measles were being treated earlier this week at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown said Oct. 7 that there is no current evidence of measles spreading within the county. The update comes after two people who traveled through Frederick
Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in early September tested positive for measles, according to the Monroe County Department of Public Health.
While urging the need to be vigilant, the overall risk of measles to the general public remains low, especially for individuals who are fully vaccinated, Ott said.
New York expands vaccine access
Hochul's executive order expands the pool of health professionals who can administer measles vaccines to include paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists and midwives.
The order also allows nurses, in addition to physicians, to order measles testing. The measures are intended to help the state respond more quickly to the outbreak and increase access to vaccination and testing.
"After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease," Hochul said. "No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease."
How does a state of emergency impact Ontario County?
The emergency declaration allows the state to release additional resources to local health departments such as Ontario County, which is working with the state Department of Health and local healthcare providers to support disease investigations, measles testing and the administration of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR.
"The New York state of emergency does not change our response to the measles outbreak, but it will strengthen our ability to expand disease surveillance (testing), contact tracing, and MMR vaccine availability,” Ott said in a prepared statement.
What about measles vaccines?
Measles is a serious and contagious virus that can lead to severe complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, or brain swelling. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air and then others breathe in the virus. People can also become infected by touching an infected surface then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
Adults born in 1957 or later need at least one dose of the MMR vaccine unless they have documented immunity. Individuals born before 1957 are generally considered immune due to natural exposure during childhood, unless they work in health care.
Children should routinely receive two doses of the MMR vaccine; the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins at the hairline.
Those who experience these symptoms, should isolate, wear a mask and contact a healthcare provider before leaving the home.
For more information about measles
For more information, contact the Ontario County Public Health at 585-396-4343 or visit https://www.ontariocountyny.gQv/2215/Diseases-and- Viruses or www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/.
Contributing: Reuters and USA Today Network
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ontario County reports 4 measles cases amid NY emergency
