The Monroe County Department of Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of measles in a person who recently traveled to the county.
Officials say that person was in the Rochester area for employee training the week of Sept. 16 to 20, potentially exposing other people to the virus by visiting public places while contagious.
The potential public exposure locations, days and times were as follows, county officials said:
- Hampton Inn, 878 Hard Rd, Webster, NY 14580 from 9/17/19 – 9/20/19
- CGS Fabrication, 855 Publishers Pkwy, Webster, NY 14580 from 9/17/19 – 9/20/19
- Calvalry Robotics, 855 Publishers Pkwy, Webster, NY 14580 from 9/17/19 – 9/20/19
- Hooligans Eastside Grill, 809 E. Ridge Rd, Webster, NY 14580 on 9/17/19 and 9/18/19
- JoJo’s Bistro + Wine Bar, 42 E. Main St, Webster, NY 14580 on 9/18/19
- Greater Rochester International Airport on 9/20/19 from 2:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Michael Mendoza stressed that people who are up-to-date on their vaccinations are not in danger of contracting measles even if they were exposed.
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo notes that the county has a high percentage of people who have been vaccinated against measles, with over 95 percent of the school age population in Monroe County having received the measles vaccination.
A person is considered immune and is unlikely to get measles if they were born before Jan. 1, 1957, have received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, or have a lab test confirming immunity.
People who lack immunity or are not sure if they have been vaccinated are at risk of developing measles, Mendoza said. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and/or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear in 10-12 days after exposure but may take as long as 21 days.
"Measles is highly contagious," Mendoza said. "We know that because we've had a very sizeable outbreak in downstate New York."
Anyone who is unvaccinated who may have been at the locations visited by the person with measles on the dates listed above may be at risk of developing measles for up to 21 days after being exposed, Mendoza said. Those people should:
- Contact the county public health department at 585-753-5164.
- Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles. People who have not had measles infection previously or received the measles immunization may not be immune and should talk with a health care provider about receiving measles, mumps and rubella immunization.
- Contact and notify their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, an infant, have a weakened immune system and/or are unimmunized.
- Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of measles often appear in two stages. The first stage is characterized by a runny nose, cough and a slight fever, according to the CDC. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever rises. Small bluish white spots surrounded by a reddish area may also appear on the inside of the mouth.
The state health department describes the second stage as beginning on the third to seventh day and consists of a red blotchy rash lasting five to six days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet. The rash fades in the same order that it appeared, from head to extremities. A person can spread measles from 4 days before the onset of rash through 4 days after the rash begins. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age.
Health officials say that the single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.
The traveler who was carrying measles has returned to California, Mendoza said. Officials do not yet know whether anyone has contracted measles from the person.
"Part of our job in public health is behind-the-scenes detective work," said Mendoza. "We try to figure out where the pockets of risk are. We track them, and we address them."
More information about measles is available from the New York state Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control.
