ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul recently issued an executive order declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the growing number of measles cases across rural areas of New York and neighboring states. Locally, Madison and Oneida counties have reported cases.
The executive order enables the state to respond more quickly to the outbreak and allows healthcare professionals to take additional steps to help get more New Yorkers vaccinated and tested, if needed.
“After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease,” Hochul said.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.”
The state Department has set up a measles dashboard at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/data.htm.
As of Friday, Oct. 9 Otsego County has 20 confirmed cases, Seneca County has 18 cases, Steuben County has 14 cases and Wayne County has eight cases.
Madison County has three confirmed cases while Herkimer and Oswego counties have one case apiece.
Oneida County has diagnosed two residents with measles. Neither person was vaccinated against the illness. The two cases are related and within the same residence.
Oneida County Health Department has identified and notified people who had close contact with the cases and there is no immediate threat to the public.
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Measles evolved from rinderpest, an infectious animal virus that affected cattle, bison, and other hooved animals. Authorities have credited the first systematic description of measles to the Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi. Measles developed between 1100 and 1200 AD.
Measles is highly contagious and a serious disease that can make people very ill, especially young children. Complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization, and death. There is currently no treatment for measles.
Symptoms can start within seven to 14 days and up to 21 days following an infection and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a rash which develops generally three to five days after the symptoms start.
The rash usually starts as flat red spots appearing at the hairline and then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. An infected person’s fever may spike to 104ºF. An individual with measles can be contagious four days before the rash appears and even before the person begins to feel sick.
A person with measles can pass the virus to others as early as four days before a rash appears and as late as four days after the rash appears, local public health officials noted.
People who have received two doses of MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella – vaccine are considered fully vaccinated against measles with about 97% effectiveness.
Those born before 1957 are considered immune as they were likely previously exposed to the virus. People born between 1957 and 1971 should follow up with their healthcare provider, as the vaccine received may not have been as reliable.
Those not vaccinated against measles or are unsure of their vaccination status, contact their healthcare provider or Oneida County Health Department at (315) 798-5747.
The Madison County Health Department can be reached at (315) 366-2361.
If you become ill and believe you may have measles, contact your healthcare provider or the emergency room department prior to seeking care to avoid exposing others. Stay home and avoid going to work, school or other public places. If you feel that you have been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider or the Oneida County Health Department at (315) 798-5747.