Measles Outbreak Includes CT, HV Cases: County Health Officials

Anyone who visited the Subway in Patterson or DeCicco & Sons in Brewster at a certain time should contact health officials.

BREWSTER, NY — The Putnam County Department of Health has confirmed three positive cases of measles. Two are Putnam residents and the third lives in Connecticut. All have been isolated to avoid spreading the disease further.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can be spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. In rare cases it can be deadly.

Interim Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD. said the department was working with local partners to identify all possible contacts and limit the outbreak.

"Before these individuals were isolated, they may have exposed other people," he said.

Anyone who was in the Subway restaurant on https://maps.google.com/?q=3101+Route+22&entry=gmail&source=g" rel="nofollow - 3101 Route 22 in Patterson between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, or in DeCicco & Sons in Brewster at https://maps.google.com/?q=50+Independent+Way&entry=gmail&source=g" rel="nofollow - 50 Independent Way (at Route 312 and I84) between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, may have been exposed.

The outbreak started with an international family from France who was visiting at the Watchtower headquarters in Patterson. So far 90 people have been interviewed because they may have been exposed.

Other tourists to the Watchtower caused an alert https://patch.com/new-york/southeast/measles-warning-putnam-orange-nyc" rel="nofollow - earlier in April about measles.

Anyone at the Subway on April 29 or the should call the Putnam County Department of Health as soon as possible to understand their possible risk and what action to take. Public health nurses will be available by calling at 845-808-1390. Those individuals who were born before 1957, or who have had measles disease or who have been vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) may still retain full or partial immunity.

"Measles symptoms begin with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat," Dr. Nesheiwat said. "It is followed by a rash that spreads over the body. If anyone has these symptoms, call the doctor or emergency room first.

"Do not go directly to a medical facility," he warned possible victims. "Isolation procedures need to begin immediately upon arrival."

The Centers For Disease Control reports that as of April 21, 63 people from 16 states (Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas) were reported to have measles so far in 2018.

Here are resources from the CDC:

• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html" rel="nofollow - About Measles
• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html" rel="nofollow - Vaccination for Measles
• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html" rel="nofollow - Cases and Outbreaks
• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/lab-tools/index.html" rel="nofollow - Lab Tools
• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/stats-surv.html" rel="nofollow - For Public Health Professionals

And my source:   https://patch.com/new-york/southeast/measles-outbreak-includes-ct-ny-cases-county-health-officials" rel="nofollow - https://patch.com/new-york/southeast/measles-outbreak-includes-ct-ny-cases-county-health-officials