1st LI Measles Patient Admitted To Cohen's Children Hospital

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — A patient contracted measles in Nassau County. It is the third case this year in the state. Two other people have gotten sick with measles in New York City.

Cohen Children's Medical Center confirmed to Patch that a patient in the emergency department presented with measles.

"The patient was isolated and admitted on March 21 and is currently in stable condition," Northwell Health spokesperson Jason Molinet said. "We are contacting patients who visited the emergency department at the time of the potential exposure and have identified patients who are high risk and may require timely treatment."

Measles typically takes 10-14 days to show symptoms, including fever, a dry cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and a skin rash of large, flat blotches.

It is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is easily spread by coughing or sneezing into the air

"Nassau County Department of Health is closely investigating potential exposures and taking the necessary proactive steps to prevent the spread of measles," Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said in a statement on Saturday. "We strongly encourage all residents to protect their health by ensuring they are up-to-date on important, lifesaving immunizations."

The county issued a "public health alert" on its website. The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated, Gehman added.

Anyone who receives two doses of MMR vaccine is to be fully protected. 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.

The measles vaccine has been a prerequisite for children in New York attending schools, daycare and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles, the county said.