Measles On LI: 12 People May Have Been Exposed: Dept. Of Health.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Twelve Suffolk County residents may have been exposed to measles after a child tested positive for measles at Cohen Children's Medical Center in Queens last week, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

"Cohens children’s medical center identified 12 potential exposures of Suffolk County residents who were at Cohens during the hours of potential exposure," SCDH said in a statement. "We followed up with those 12. Of them, 11 were vaccinated. One was too young to be vaccinated. That child received prophylaxis and was quarantined."

On Tuesday, Patch reported that there was potential exposure to measlesfor people who visited the pediatric emergency department at Cohen's on March 3 and 4, or visited an inpatient child on the Medicine 3 unit from March 3 to March 6, according to an SCDH press release.

The medical center was contacting patients who visited the emergency department and the pediatric floor at the time of the potential exposure, SCDH said.

Anyone who feels they may have been exposed should consult with their doctor or pediatrician or contact their local health department, SCPH said.

SCPD said the investigation is ongoing and potential other exposures are also being assessed. The SCDH has confirmed, however, that the child with measles did not attend daycare or school while infectious.

"As we follow this case and closely monitor potential exposures, we strongly encourage all residents to protect their health and the health of our youngest and most vulnerable residents by ensuring they are on time and up to date their measles vaccines and all recommended and lifesaving immunizations," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services.

According to SCPH, measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. Individuals can catch the virus by breathing it in, or by touching a contaminated surface, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Complications may include pneumonia, encephalitis, miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization, and death.

The incubation period for measles is up to 21 days. People who are exposed to measles and have not been previously vaccinated should quarantine for 21 days after exposure. Exposed persons who have been vaccinated with MMR do not need to quarantine but should self-monitor for 21 days and stay home if they develop symptoms. Persons diagnosed with measles should isolate until four days after the rash appears, SCDH advised.

Symptoms for measles can include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash of red, flat spots appears on the person's face and then spreads to the rest of their body, SCDH said.

A person with measles can pass it to others as soon as four days before a rash appears and as late as four days after the rash appears.

Health care providers in Suffolk County should report suspected measles cases to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services: 631-854-0333