No less than 12 folks have been probably uncovered to measles on Lengthy Island after a child too younger to be vaccinated examined optimistic at a medical facility, public well being officers stated Wednesday.
The case was regarded as travel-related, Suffolk County officers stated, and the kid was already dwelling and recuperating.
The newborn was youthful than 12 to fifteen months, which is when the primary shot is normally administered. This youngster had not been in daycare or college, the Suffolk County Division of Well being stated in a press release.
Measles, thought of essentially the most contagious infectious illness on the earth, is transmitted by way of direct contact with an contaminated particular person, by touching contaminated surfaces after which one’s eyes, nostril or mouth, and by way of air droplets, the place the virus can linger for as much as two hours, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention stated.
With this in thoughts, Suffolk County officers stated anybody who visited Cohen’s pediatric ER on March 3 and 4, or who was an inpatient youngster on the Medication 3 unit between March 3 and March 6, have been probably in danger.
“These times reflect the potential exposure period when the infected individual was in the identified areas,” the division stated in its assertion.
Earlier this month, two unconnected circumstances of measles have been recognized in New York Metropolis, and circumstances have been reported in Texas, New Mexico, Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
With a vaccination charge of 82.6% amongst kids as much as age 2 in Suffolk County, well being commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott stated he was assured the illness wouldn’t unfold, whereas additionally urging folks to ensure they have been updated on immunizations.
