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Health department reports potential measles exposure in western NY

A tourist from India with measles visited several places in the region on May 11 and May 12, 2017, exposing others to the disease.

“What’s potentially unique about this situation is that this individual traveled across the state and potentially exposed individuals along the path,” says Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe county health commissioner.

The individual, whose name was not released, visited locations including a Hampton Inn in Brockport, a rest stop in Herkimer County, Niagara Falls State Park and a restaurant in Niagara Falls. The health department said there is no longer any risk associated with going to these locations.

“We’ve asked for the names of the employees and the guests who were present during the time this individual was in the hotel. The goal there would be to confirm immunity for as many as the individuals as possible,” says Mendoza.

A person who has received two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine is unlikely to get measles, according to a statement released by the New York State Department of Health.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions and can remain alive in air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Sixty-one cases have been reported in 10 states so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Karen Shakerdge covers health for WXXI News. She has spent the past decade asking people questions about their lives, as a documentary film producer, oral historian and now radio reporter.