West Islip / Wyandanch, NY - January 27, 2017 - The Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) has been notified of a laboratory confirmed case of measles in an infant who arrived recently from overseas. The child was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room (ER) in West Islip on January 19, for evaluation and was released, and was seen at HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Family Health Center in Wyandanch on January 25.
To prevent the spread of this highly communicable disease, SCDHS asks individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles, to call their physicians, health care providers or emergency rooms before going for care. If it is not possible to call ahead, individuals with symptoms should identify themselves as a potential measles patient immediately upon presentation so that others are not exposed in a waiting room.
Anyone who is not fully immune to measles and was in the Good Samaritan Hospital ER between the hours of 5:57 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on January 19, 2017, is considered exposed to measles. Those individuals should notify their healthcare providers immediately if they experience symptoms consistent with measles. Persons with questions about exposure at Good Samaritan Hospital should call 631-376-3000.
Anyone who is not fully immune to measles and was at HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center in Wyandanch between the hours of 9:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.is considered exposed to measles. Those who were exposed and have not already been contacted by HRHCare should contact the health center at 516-214-8020 immediately, as preventive measures may be effective if vaccine is administered within 72 hours of exposure (by January 28, 2017) or if immune globulin (IG) is administered within 6 days of exposure (by January 31, 2017).
Only persons with two documented measles-containing vaccines, a blood test showing immunity, or those born (and lived in the United States) prior to 1957 are considered immune to measles. Individuals who have had only one measles vaccine dose should obtain a second dose.
Commissioner of Health Services James L. Tomarken, MD, said, “We are in close contact with Good Samaritan Hospital, HRHCare, and the New York State Department of Health. Good Samaritan Hospital and HRHCare are reaching out to individuals who were exposed to measles on the dates of potential exposure. However, there may be others who were exposed and whose contact information we do not have. We ask anyone who was at these locations and may have been exposed to be alert for symptoms and to contact their health care providers immediately if they experience symptoms.”
Individuals who may be at high-risk for complications from measles include children less than 1 year of age, pregnant women and immunocompromised persons.
Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages: early symptoms include a runny nose, cough and a fever. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light, while the fever may gradually rise each day. Later symptoms begin on the third day and consist of a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and a red, blotchy rash lasting four to seven days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads over the entire body. Little white spots may also appear inside the mouth. Symptoms usually appear in 10-12 days after exposure, although they may occur as early as seven or as late as 21 days after exposure.
Measles is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people or by airborne transmission. Measles is one of the most contagious communicable diseases and can be contracted at any age.
SCDHS is also asking all health providers to report all cases of suspect measles to the SCDHS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at 631-854-0333.