New York State Department of Health Warns of Potential Measles Exposures in Dutchess, Orange and Putnam Counties

Two Cases Resulting from Exposure to European Tourists with Measles

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 4, 2018) – The New York State Department of Health today announced that two people in Putnam County have developed measles resulting from exposure to two European tourists with measles who visited the area last month. These new cases potentially put others at risk of developing measles, though this risk is low for people who have been vaccinated or are immune.

Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed:

  • Watchtower Educational Center, 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY
    • between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on April 26, 2018 in the dining hall;
    • between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on April 27, 2018 in the main lobby area;
    • and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on April 27, 2018 in the dining hall.
  • Museum at the Watchtower World Headquarters, 1 Kings Drive, Tuxedo Park, NY between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on April 27, 2018.
  • Red Line Diner, 588 Route 9, Fishkill, NY between 10:30 p.m. on April 27, 2018 and 1:30 a.m. on April 28, 2018.
  • Subway Restaurant in Patterson Commons, 3104 Route 22, Patterson, NY between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 29, 2018.
  • DeCicco and Sons (food market), 50 Independent Way, Brewster, NY between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 1, 2018.

These times reflect the period that the infected individuals were in these areas and a two-hour period after the individuals left the area, as the virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

A third case of measles resulting from the original exposure has also been confirmed in a resident of Connecticut. There have been no exposures in New York State as a result of this case.

The Department previously announced that due to the original exposure by the European tourists, anyone who visited the following locations may also have been exposed:

  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 873 New Jersey Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 15, 2018.
  • Watchtower World Headquarters, 1 Kings Drive, Tuxedo Park, NY, between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on April 16, 2018.
  • Watchtower Educational Center, 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on April 17, 2018.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had measles disease, or have a lab test confirming immunity. Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles.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, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department 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 healthcare 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 four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life. In New York State, 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 state Department of Health will issue a health advisory to health care providers to notify them of the potential exposure. Health care providers should report all suspected cases of measles to their local health department.

More information about measles can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170.pdf.