Mayville, NY — The Chautauqua County Health Department is alerting residents following the confirmation of a measles case in Erie County, New York, that may have resulted in public exposure at several locations.
According to the Erie County Department of Health, the infected individual visited Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Emergency Department on May 24th between 7:30AM and 4:30PM and again on May 28th between noon and 9:30PM. The individual was also at 1021 Broadway in Buffalo on May 28th between 10:30AM and 2:00PM. The building houses several businesses and organizations, including Jericho Road Community Health Center, Broadway Pediatrics, the U.S. Postal Service and UBMD Internal Medicine.
Health officials said local residents may have traveled to these locations and could have been exposed to the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
The health department is encouraging residents to make sure they and their family members are up to date on their measles vaccinations, especially the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles or who develops symptoms should contact their health care provider before arriving at a medical facility to help prevent additional exposures.
For more information, residents can review the Erie County Department of Health advisory, here, or contact the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4491.