[ad_1]
Measles cases have been confirmed in eight children in Westchester County, including six siblings, and all are from North Westchester, county officials said.
None of the children, ages six months to 14 years, attend public school or daycare, said the Westchester County Health Department.
The department works with families and health care providers to identify places where children may have exposed other people.
The children, who have not been vaccinated, appear to have been exposed to measles in Rockland County and Brooklyn, where outbreaks have occurred.
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler has urged parents of unvaccinated children to make MMR vaccine a priority for their children.
"In the face of the growing number of measles cases in our area, I urge all parents who have not vaccinated their children to be vaccinated against measles," said Amler:
Measles is highly infectious and nine out of ten people who are not immunized and exposed to measles will be infected, she added.
People can spread measles even before they know they are sick. Unimmunized people can catch measles simply by being in a room until two hours after the departure of a person with measles. Measles can be a serious infection that can lead to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, hearing loss and death. "
Measles is a viral disease that starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat. It is followed by a rash that extends over the body. Measles is highly contagious and spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. People are at risk of getting sick up to 21 days after exposure.
People are considered protected or immunized against measles if they were born before 1957, received two doses of measles vaccine or underwent a laboratory test confirming their immunity.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated can obtain the vaccine free of charge from the Westchester County Health Department.
Call 914-995-5800 for an appointment.
Click here to sign up for free daily emails and Daily Voice news alerts.
[ad_2]
Source link