No less than 12 individuals have been doubtlessly uncovered to measles on Lengthy Island after a child too younger to be vaccinated examined constructive at a medical facility, public well being officers mentioned Wednesday.
The case was regarded as travel-related, Suffolk County officers mentioned, and the kid was already residence and recuperating.
The child was youthful than 12 to fifteen months, which is when the primary shot is normally administered. This baby had not been in daycare or faculty, the Suffolk County Division of Well being mentioned in an announcement.
Measles, thought-about probably the most contagious infectious illness on the planet, 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 mentioned.
With this in thoughts, Suffolk County officers mentioned anybody who visited Cohen’s pediatric ER on March 3 and 4, or who was an inpatient baby on the Drugs 3 unit between March 3 and March 6, have been doubtlessly in danger.
“These times reflect the potential exposure period when the infected individual was in the identified areas,” the division mentioned in its assertion.
Earlier this month, two unconnected instances of measles have been recognized in New York Metropolis, and instances 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 youngsters as much as age 2 in Suffolk County, well being commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott mentioned he was assured the illness wouldn’t unfold, whereas additionally urging individuals to ensure they have been updated on immunizations.
