Measles Spreading at Alarming Rates in Hudson Valley
The measles is spreading rapidly after a popular Hudson Valley shopping center and other areas were exposed to measles.
Rockland County health officials announced there are 11 confirmed cases of the measles and three suspected cases being investigated. Adults and children have been infected with the very contagious virus, CBS reports.
"Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease," Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said in a press release. "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."
Last week it was reported an international traveler with measles visited multiple locations in Rockland and Westchester counties. Among the locations infected with measles was the Costco in Nanuet and Westchester Medical Center.
"Since measles is still common in many countries and there are ongoing measles outbreaks overseas, travelers will continue to bring this disease into the United States," Schanbel said.
Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or a runny nose. 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 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 often a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by an appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.