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The case in Suffolk County, confirmed at the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory, comes as measles cases rise globally and across the United States, including in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The New York State Department of Health, Suffolk County health officials, and Northwell Health are investigating the case and tracking potential exposures. The child is currently being treated at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens.
Anyone who visited the hospital’s pediatric emergency department between Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4, or was on the pediatric Medicine 3 unit between Monday, March 3 and Thursday, March 6, may have been exposed to measles, officials warned.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center is contacting patients who may be at risk and advising them to speak with their doctor.
Measles is not just a rash and fever—it can lead to severe complications, including:
- Pneumonia
- Brain inflammation (encephalitis)
- Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
- Hospitalization and, in rare cases, death
The measles virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can linger for up to two hours in a room, meaning someone can get infected even after an infected person has left, health officials said.
Symptoms to watch for include:
7-14 days after exposure:
- High fever (which may spike over 104°F)
- Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
3-5 days after symptoms begin:
- Red rash that starts on the face and spreads downward
- Small, raised bumps may appear
- Fever may worsen as the rash spreads
People with measles are contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.
The best way to prevent measles is vaccination, according to the New York State Department of Health. The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective after two doses. Health officials are urging anyone unsure of their vaccination status to check with their doctor.
“Measles can be very serious,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “The most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to ensure they’ve been properly immunized.”
Those who believe they may have been exposed should consult their doctor and quarantine for 21 days if necessary.
More information on measles and vaccinations can be found on the New York State Department of Health’s website.
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