ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT)- New York state health officials have launched a measles dashboard and are warning about a rise in cases outside New York City.
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announced the dashboard Sept. 15 and said it is tracking increased measles cases in the Capital, Central and Western regions. The department urged New Yorkers to make sure they are up to date on measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations.
As of Sept. 12, there were six confirmed cases in New York City and 51 in the rest of the state, for 57 total cases this year, according to the department. Officials said some upstate cases were tied to local spread and domestic travel.
“Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, we are working closely with local health departments and regional partners to track and contain this recent uptick in measles cases,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.
“Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness and hospitalizations, yet it is effectively prevented with up-to-date measles immunizations. I urge New Yorkers to check their vaccination status and make sure that they and their families are protected. I also ask health providers to be prepared to diagnose and treat any measles they encounter,” McDonald said.
What should people do?
The department said unvaccinated people can ask for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and anyone contacted during contact tracing should respond so officials can help prevent more infections. It also said exposed people should quarantine for 21 days after exposure and people who test positive should isolate until four days after a rash appears.
Health officials said infants 6 to 11 months old can get an early MMR dose before travel or if they are at risk of exposure. The department said travelers should be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.
One dose provides 93 percent protection while two doses provide 97 percent protection, according to the department. Babies as young as 6 months should get one dose if traveling abroad or to an area where measles is prevalent, then continue their next two MMR shots on schedule for a total of three vaccines.
Know the symptoms?
The department said measles spreads through coughing or sneezing and can also spread by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. A person with measles can spread it from four days before a rash appears through four days after the rash appears.
Symptoms can start 7 to 14 days after infection and up to 21 days later, according to the department. They include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. The fever can rise above 104° Fahrenheit when the rash appears.
The department said healthcare providers should report suspected measles cases to their local health department. It also said New Yorkers can use the new dashboard and the department’s measles website to track case numbers and find vaccine information.
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