Monticello, NY – Measles Exposure Possible; Two Individuals Quarantined

Monticello, NY – The Sullivan County Public Health Department is notifying the public of possible exposures to individuals who recently tested positive for measles. Sullivan County now has five (5) confirmed cases since March and two additional suspect cases.

• Residents may have been exposed if they were at the following location on May 16, 2019 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., or between May 25-June 2, 2019: Gibbers-Viznitz 168 Yeshiva Drive Kiamesha Lake, NY 12751

• Residents may have been exposed if they were at the following location between May 14-22, 2019, or between May 25-June 3, 2019: (An investigation is ongoing at this location to determine possible exposures): Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe 84 Laurel Park Road South Fallsburg, NY 12779

• Residents may have been exposed if they were at the following location on May 18, 2019 between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.: Garden Terrace 221 Laurel Ave. Fallsburg, NY 12733

Two confirmed contagious individuals have been quarantined via a mandatory isolation order issued by the Public Health Director. Public Health Services staff continue to closely monitor the situation.

What symptoms do I look for?

Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days. The first symptoms are usually:
• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash
o Small red spots, some of which are slightly raised.
o Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance.
o Usually appears 2 to 4 days after the fever begins and lasts 5 to 6 days.
o Begins at the hairline, moves to the face and neck, down the body and then to the arms and legs.

How long is a person with measles contagious?

A person with measles can pass it to others from 4 days before a rash appears through the 4th day after the rash appears.

If my child or another family member has been exposed to measles, what should I do?

Immediately call your local health department, doctor or clinic for advice. Never been vaccinated? Get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine within 3 days of being exposed. This may prevent you from getting measles. Some people may need an immune globulin shot – antibodies to the measles virus. It should be given within 6 days of being exposed. This may prevent or lessen the severity of measles.

We recommend that all children get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine.
• Children should get their first MMR shot at 12 through 15 months old (as soon as possible within this time period). The second dose may be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose. But it is usually given between 4 and 6 years of age.
• An early dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for children 6-11 months of age who will be traveling internationally and who are in an outbreak area. These children will still need the 2 routine doses given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age to ensure protection. They will receive a total of 3 MMR vaccines.
What are the MMR vaccine requirements for school attendance?
• For pre-kindergarten including day care, Head Start or nursery school: one dose of MMR vaccine
• Kindergarten to grade 12: two doses of MMR vaccine
• College: two doses of MMR vaccine
What should I or my family members do to prevent measles if we are traveling out of the country?

Measles is still common in many other countries. Make sure that you and your children are fully vaccinated before traveling out of the U.S.
• Children, adults and adolescents should have two doses of MMR vaccine, at least 28 days apart.
• An early dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for children 6-12 months of age who will be traveling internationally and who are in an outbreak area. This dose does not count as part of the routine doses given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age. These children will need a total of 3 MMR vaccinations.

For doctors and other healthcare providers:
Healthcare providers should alert office staff to screen patients by phone prior to making appointments and be prepared to isolate patients who are reporting symptoms of measles in order to avoid potential transmission in the office.
• Consider measles in patients of any age presenting with fever and rash.
• If you see a patient who may have measles, report the case to Sullivan County Public Health Services IMMEDIATELY at (845) 292-5910, 24 hours a day. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation before reporting.
• Institute immediate airborne precautions for patients with febrile rash illness.
• Ensure that all children and adults are up-to-date with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Vaccinate children routinely with the first dose of MMR at age 12 months and the second dose at age 4 to 6 years.
• Identify patients in your practice who are not up-to-date for MMR and recall those over 12 months of age who have not yet received a dose of MMR vaccine.
• Ensure all healthcare workers are immune to measles.

For more information or if you think you may have been exposed, call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910.

For general questions and concerns, the New York State Department of Health maintains a 24-hour Measles Information Line: (888) 364-4837.