Ontario County Public Health is investigating cases of confirmed measles in two unvaccinated residents, but officials said the overall risk to the public is low, particularly for those who are fully vaccinated against the disease.
The health department was notified on Aug. 31 of the positive results.
Both people safely isolated at home while they were at risk of exposing others to the viral disease, health officials said. To protect their privacy, the health department will not release additional details.
Ontario County Public Health Director Kate Ott said in a prepared statement that most people in the county are vaccinated and are not at risk of getting measles.
“If unsure of your vaccine status, contact your healthcare provider,” Ott said.
Measles is highly contagious
Measles
is extremely contagious, and anyone unvaccinated, pregnant, under 12 months of age, or immuno-compromised is at a higher risk and should talk with their health care provider if they believe they may have been exposed.
Adults born prior to 1957 are presumed immune because they would have had the illness in childhood prior to the advent of vaccine.
Those who have symptoms of measles such as fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and rash should isolate, wear a mask and call ahead if planning to seek medical care in a provider’s office, urgent care or emergency department.
It’s very important they know you are coming, health officials stressed.
How dangerous is measles?
Measles can be a serious illness.
An estimated one to three individuals out of every 1,000, or 0.1% to 0.3%, die due to complications of the disease. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and ongoing neurological damage.
Measles can also interfere with the body’s immune response to other vaccine preventable diseases.
Are there measles cases elsewhere in New York?
The Seneca County Health Department on Aug, 20 confirmed (2) two additional cases of measles and two (2) presumed positive casesThe state Department of Health said six confirmed cases of measles in New York City and 35 in the rest of New York state have been reported this year, for a total of 41.
Last year, 48 total cases were reported.
For more information
For questions regarding this public notice or measles vaccination, contact the Ontario County Public Health at 585-396-4343, visit https://www.ontariocountyny.gov/2215/Diseases-and-Viruses or www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/.
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: Two measles cases confirmed in Ontario County
