During the recent Measles outbreak downstate, there has been one case attributed to Greene County.
However, this individual contracted measles while in Brooklyn, NY and has remained there since.
Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection. It causes a total-body skin rash, cough, and flu-like symptoms. Measles is caused by a virus, so there’s no specific medical treatment for it. It can pass through droplets sprayed into the air when someone with measles sneezes or coughs. In fact, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who come in contact with the measles virus will become infected. Someone exposed to the virus usually shows symptoms 7–21 days later. People with measles can spread the disease from 4 days before the rash starts until about 4 days after the rash appears. They’re most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough.
The best way to protect yourself and your children is to make sure you’re immunized against measles. For most kids, measles protection is part of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) given when they’re 12 to 15 months old and again when they’re 4 to 6 years old. Adults who are unsure of their vaccine status, should check with their health care provider, to see if a booster vaccine is recommended.
For clarification, there has been one case attributed to Greene County, however this individual contracted measles while in Brooklyn, NY and has remained there since. There are no known potential exposures in Greene County.
