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Erie County Department of Health confirms local case of measles

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Wed, Dec 12th 2018 05:20 pm

The Erie County Department of Health has confirmed a recent émigré treated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital has been diagnosed with measles. This individual had visited multiple venues in Erie County, potentially exposing others to measles from Dec. 4-11.

Anyone who visited the following locations in Erie County may have been exposed to measles:

  • Catholic Charities, 20 Herkimer St., Buffalo, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
  • Erie County Department of Health Clinic, 608 William St., Buffalo, between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 4.
  • Sweet Home High School, 1909 Sweet Home Road, Amherst, between 5-10:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
  • Erie County Department of Social Services, 158 Pearl St., Buffalo, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Erie County Department of Health Clinic, 608 William St., Buffalo, between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Catholic Charities, 20 Herkimer St., Buffalo, on between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Erie County Department of Social Services, 158 Pearl St., Buffalo, between 12:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Aldi, 4259 Transit Road, Buffalo, between 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Best Buy, 4401 Transit Road, Williamsville, between 6-9:15 p.m. Dec. 6.
  • Marshalls, 2383 Maple Road, Williamsville, between 6-10 p.m. Dec. 6
  • Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital emergency department, 1540 Maple Road, Williamsville, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10.

These dates and times reflect the period the infected individual was in these areas and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours. From Dec. 7-9, the infected individual was homebound.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if:

  • You were born before 1957; or
  • You received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine; or
  • You have had measles disease; or
  • You have a lab test confirming immunity.

Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles.

Preventive treatment for measles is recommended for those without evidence of immunity as follows: MMR vaccine can be given to eligible exposed individuals within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin can be administered within six days of exposure.

All individuals who were exposed to measles, particularly those without immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated, should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms. Symptoms include a fever, cough, pink, watery eyes or runny nose followed by appearance of a rash. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure, but may appear as early as seven days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department of Health is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated. Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune, they should contact their health care provider.

Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at 4 to 6 years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life.

In New York, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

The Erie County Department of Health will issue a health advisory to health care providers to notify them of the potential exposures. Health care providers should report all suspected cases of measles to the ECDOH epidemiology and disease surveillance program at 716-858-7697 during normal business hours

General information regarding measles can be found at:

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