Three cases of measles have been confirmed in Rockland County for 2026, so far.
The newly documented cases for 2026 are linked to international tourists visiting the county, according to Rockland officials.
Residents who were exposed to these measles cases have been identified, notified, and are being closely monitored, county health officials said.
Rockland reported 21 cases of measles in 2025, the bulk of those occurring between October and December.
In 2018-2019, the county was the site of a large measles outbreak in 2018-2019. Around 312 cases were documented back then in the county. After the outbreak, New York state changed its school vaccination regulations and no longer allows religious exemptions.
Rockland continues to have one of the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the state for babies under age 2.
Meanwhile, cases of measles continue to climb across the nation. The U.S. is on course to lose its “measles elimination” status, achieved in 2000, because we’ve seen more than a year of continuous, endemic, or native transmission of measles nationwide.
Highly contagious, with risk for complications
Measles is considered the world’s most contagious disease and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected, and one infected person can spread the virus to up to 18 others.
Anyone who thinks they have symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider before heading to a local emergency department, clinic or doctors office. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to illness.
“Measles and its complications can be severe, but they are preventable,” Rockland Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Leahy said in a March 3 statement. “Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and those around you, including infants, toddlers, and people with weakened immune systems. If you are unsure of your immunity, please get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
What are symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms include: fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red and/or watery eyes) and/or a runny nose.
Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure, but may appear in just a week or as last as three weeks after exposure.
Measles can cause severe illness and complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death can occur in unvaccinated people.
For more information, visit the Rockland County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health measles webpages. To get your vaccine, visit vaccine.gov.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland reports 3 cases of measles linked to international tourists
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
