New York State Department of Health Warns of Potential Measles Exposures in Rockland, Westchester Counties and New Jersey

International Traveler with a Confirmed Case of Measles Visited Multiple New York and New Jersey Locations

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 13, 2018) - The New York State Department of Health today announced that an international traveler returning from Israel who has been confirmed to have measles visited multiple venues in New York State and New Jersey, potentially exposing others to measles between October 4th and October 11th.

Anyone who visited the following locations in New York or New Jersey may have been exposed to measles:

  • Congregation Bais Elazer, 26 Voyager Court, Monsey, NY on 10/4/2018 between 8:00 am and 11:00 am
  • Mia's Reflexology, 191 South Main Street, New City, NY on 10/4/2018 between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  • Lifetime Gym, 10 Van Riper Road, Montvale, New Jersey on 10/5/2018 between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm
  • Wesley Kosher, 455 Route 306, Monsey, NY on 10/5/2018 between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm
  • Congregation Borov, 2 Parker Road, Monsey, NY
    • 10/5/2018 between 6:45 pm and 9:45 pm
    • 10/6/2018 between 9:00 am and 1:45 pm
  • Costco, 50 Overlook Blvd., Nanuet, NY on 10/7/2018 between 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm
  • Care 365, 1 Main Street, Monsey, NY on 10/8/2018 between 10:00 pm and 12:00 am
  • Westchester Medical Center Emergency Room, 100 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY on 10/11/2018 between 3:45 am and 4:15 pm

These times reflect the period that the infected individual was in these areas and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had measles disease, or have a lab test confirming immunity. Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles. Preventive treatment for measles is recommended for those without evidence of immunity as follows: MMR vaccine can be given to eligible exposed individuals within 72 hours of exposure OR immune globulin can be administered within 6 days of exposure.

All individuals who were exposed to measles, particularly those without immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated, should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or 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.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact 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.

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 may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated. Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider. Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life. In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

The state Department of Health will issue a health advisory to health care providers to notify them of the potential exposures. Health care providers should report all suspected cases of measles to their local health department.

More information about measles can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170.pdf.