Target Store Named Among 2 Possible Measles Exposure Locations By Health Officials

NEW CITY, NY — Shoppers at two area retail stores may have been exposed to measles, according to health officials.

The Rockland County Department of Health is notifying the public of possible measles exposures that took place on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, at the following Rockland County locations:

• Amazing Savings (59 NY-59, Monsey) on Nov. 17, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

• Target (50 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley) on Nov. 18, between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The county advises that those who were at either of those locations at those times, especially those who are in a high-risk groups (pregnant, under 6 months old, not vaccinated against measles, immunocompromised/immunosuppressed) to contact their health care provider by phone right away.

SEE ALSO:

• New Measles Case Confirmed By County Health Officials
• 3 New Measles Cases Confirmed By County Health Officials
• New Measles Case Confirmed By Health Officials In Rockland County
• First Measles Case In 6 Years Confirmed In Rockland County

Measles is the most contagious disease in the world and can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room, according to health officials. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and around 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus become infected, according to the CDC.

Symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure, but may appear as early as seven days and as late as 21 days after exposure. They include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes), or a runny nose.

Severe illness and complications can occur in unvaccinated people. These include pneumonia, encephalitis and death.

Free MMR vaccines will be offered to residents six months and older from the health department's mobile van on Dec. 2, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., at Rockland Kosher Supermarket (27 Orchard St. in Monsey).

MMR vaccines are also available at area health care providers, by calling a local federally qualified health center, such as Refuah Health or Sun River Health, or by calling the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2497 or 845-364-2520.

Find more information at the Rockland County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and Vaccine.gov websites.