CANANDAIGUA, NY — Ontario County Public Health has confirmed a case of measles in a resident who is now fully recovered.
Health officials said there is no risk to the public, however.
The department was notified May 7 of a probable case of measles, according to a notice released May 8 from the department and Public Health Director Kate Ott. After an investigation, the resident, who was not identified nor was an age provided, contracted the virus in late March after being exposed outside the county, according to the health department.
No additional exposures or cases have been identified, health officials said.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles is extremely contagious and begins with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, or pink eye, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
A rash, which develops two to four days after initial symptoms appear, starts on the face and spreads downward on the body. Infected people are contagious from four days before the rash starts through four days afterward.
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
What can be done about measles?
The Ontario County case illustrates the effectiveness of vaccination and responsible health practices, health officials said. The family took swift and appropriate steps, likely preventing further spread in the community, by isolating the infected person at home until no longer contagious and vaccinated contacts did not become ill.
Here’s just how contagious the measles virus can be: If one person gets it, nine of 10 people around them who aren’t protected will get it too, health officials said.
Local health officials are continuing to urge people to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is safe and effective. Two doses of the MMR vaccine is about 97% effective at stopping measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
As of May 1, 935 measles cases have been reported across 30 U.S. states, including New York, according to statistics provided by Ontario County Public Health. Most are linked to active outbreaks in the U.S. Southwest and Ontario, Canada.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Measles case confirmed in Ontario County: What to know
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
