An unvaccinated child who tested positive for measles might have exposed others while traveling through Monroe County.
The possible exposure would have occurred on June 6-7, while the child was staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester off Interstate 390 on Jefferson Road in Henrietta, according to an alert public health officials sent to local medical providers on Friday. After an overnight stay, the child left by private vehicle, officials said.
This is the first alert for a possible measles exposure in recent memory, officials said.
"Overall risk to the community is low, based on the limited duration of the individual’s stay in Monroe County. Additionally, many people in our community have immunity to measles either from vaccination or having already had the disease," Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown said in a statement.
There have been no measles cases in Monroe County since 2019, and health officials are not aware of any to date. But more than 1,000 cases have been confirmed this year nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"Anyone who worked or visited the hotel on the above dates AND is experiencing symptoms of measles should reach out to their health care provider," Vélez de Brown said.
In the alert, officials wrote that the child has tested positive for measles on a PCR test. Public health officials sent the alert after being notified by the New York state Department of Health.
Measles symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days, public health officials said. There are two stages. In the first stage, which lasts two to four days, includes runny nose, cough and slight fever. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light, while the fever gradually rising to a peak of 105 degrees. Small bluish-white spots surrounded by a reddish area might also appear inside of the mouth. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a red blotchy rash lasting five to six days.
People who have had both doses of the measles mumps and rubella vaccine have a 97% reduced risk of contracting the virus, according to public health officials.