Rockland officials urge vaccinations amid measles outbreak

Rochel Leah Goldblatt | Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Show Caption Hide Caption Rockland measles outbreak Rockland County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, gives an update on the measles outbreak in Rockland County Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018

Rockland's biggest measles outbreak in more than 20 years has county health officials looking to contain the virus through vaccination.

With 11 confirmed cases of the measles and three more under investigation, officials are asking all residents to check their immunization status and get vaccinated if not already immune.

"As we see the number of cases grow, the potential for further exposure increases as well," Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "Measles is a very serious disease and we are looking to limit the spread."

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Schnabel Ruppert said this is the highest number of confirmed measles cases in the county since the 1990s.

"We have these problems because there are still people who aren't vaccinated," said Dr. Sherlita Amler, the Westchester County Department of Health Commissioner. "The real message to parents: If you have a child that hasn't received vaccine for measles, get vaccinated. This is a very contagious disease and anyone who hasn't been vaccinated is at risk."

There had been no reported cases in Westchester as of Wednesday.

State health officials are assisting with the investigations, which includes where the patients had been, who they were with and looking at the immunization status of family, friends and community members.

Here is what you need to know about the measles outbreak:

How this outbreak happened

Five of the 11 confirmed measles cases are considered primary, where the carrier brought the virus in from out of the country. The first case was confirmed in September.

One of the patients is from Israel and was traveling alone, another is from Rockland and was also traveling alone in Israel and three others are from Rockland County and were traveling together in Israel, according to Rockland County spokesman John Lyon.

The other six cases are secondary ones, in which the person caught the virus from exposure to one of the primary patients.

"We are seeing some secondary cases," Schnabel Ruppert said. "We might see more. We are going to check into every case we have and we are looking to protect all of you."

It takes about two weeks for the virus to die but the counting process restarts with each secondary case of the measles. Schnabel Ruppert said the two secondary cases were discovered in the last couple of days.

The patients are adults and children, but county officials did not state if there were any familial relationships.

Because 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, according to the Rockland Health Department.

Are you immune or protected?

You were born before Jan. 1, 1957 .

. You have gotten two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine . The immunizations are usually given to children between 12 to 15 months and between 4 and 6 years old. One shot is considered sufficient for children under the age of 4, although with this outbreak, Schnabel Ruppert said children could get their second shot early, as long as it is 28 days after the first shot.

. The immunizations are usually given to children between 12 to 15 months and between 4 and 6 years old. One shot is considered sufficient for children under the age of 4, although with this outbreak, Schnabel Ruppert said children could get their second shot early, as long as it is 28 days after the first shot. Have had measles confirmed by a health care provider.

by a health care provider. Have a lab test confirming immunity.

What to do if you're not immune

Rockland County is urging people to visit one of two free clinics to receive MMR vaccines. An infected person can successfully get the MMR vaccine within three days of being exposed, officials said.

Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Outreach Center in Monsey, 21 Remsen Ave. Suite 201.

at the Community Outreach Center in Monsey, 21 Remsen Ave. Suite 201. Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Pascack Community Center in Nanuet, 87 New Clarkstown Road.

Residents should also contact their primary health care provider and check their immunization records. Anyone with questions about the clinic can call the county at 845-364-2997.

Schnabel Ruppert said only one person showed up to the first free MMR clinic and only three came to another. She said most people are already immune to the measles, although some people are not able to get immunized for medical reasons or are immuno-compromised.

"I think those in Rockland should really look at their immune status," she said. "We're a small community. We're a small county. And you could be exposed in places that we haven't been able to find out about yet."

What is measles and its symptoms

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, according to the New York State Department of Health.

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.

Measles is highly contagious, and can be contracted from being in the same room as someone infected, even up to two hours after the infected person has left the room, officials said.

For questions about the measles, call the New York State Department of Health toll free at 888-364-4837.

Flu season is coming

Rockland County is also holding several clinics to dispense flu vaccinations for residents 6 months and older.

Fridays, Oct. 19 and Nov. 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert Yeager Health Center in Pomona, Building A on Sanatorium Road.

The vaccine is free for residents who:

Are 65 years or older (with ID)

(with Have Medicare of Medicaid (with card)

(with card) Are uninsured or underinsured

No appointments are necessary and there is a $20 fee for everyone else. Cash or checks are accepted and county officials will provide a receipt to submit to private health insurance companies.

"Get your children vaccinated for influenza. ... It's the best thing you can do to protect them," Amler said. "Other things: hand-washing, avoiding people who are ill and staying home if you are ill."

Staff writer Gabriel Rom contributed to this report.

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