WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. — A case of measles has been confirmed in an unvaccinated Madison County resident who is now recovering at home.
Madison County Public Health, working with the New York State Department of Health and local healthcare providers, announced that staff are identifying and notifying anyone who may have had close contact with the individual during the time they could have spread the virus.
“Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads easily from person to person through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person with measles can pass the virus to others as early as four days before a rash appears and as late as four days after the rash appears,” according to the health department.
The illness can be prevented with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides the best protection, MCPH added.
“People who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune are at greater risk of infection if exposed. Symptoms start between seven to 21 days after a person is exposed to the virus and may include:
- “Fever
- “Cough
- “Runny nose
- “Red, watery eyes
- “A rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body,” according to MCPH.
Click here for more information about measles from Madison County Public Health.