Suffolk health authorities announce first confirmed case of measles in adults since recent epidemic

The first case of adult measles has been confirmed in an adult in Suffolk County, health officials said yesterday.

The adult who recently arrived outside the United States and the case does not appear to be linked to measles cases in the state of New York, according to Suffolk County's Department of Health Services, who said that he was investigating the case with the York State Department of Health.

The county "will take appropriate action based on the results," the health department said in a press release.

Health officials did not provide information about the infected person except to indicate that they were in the NBB's bank at 48 East Highway, Hampton Bays, on Saturday, 20 April. They ask all the people who went to this agency that day pm until the bank closes at 1pm to contact the County Health Department at 631-854-0333 during business hours. After hours and on weekends, call 631-852-4820.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread through direct contact with the nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People develop a fever first, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by the appearance of a rash.

People are considered infectious four to four days after the onset of the rash. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure, but can appear as early as 7 days and up to 21 days after exposure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of measles cases nationwide is the highest since the infection was declared eliminated in 2000. Cases have been reported in 22 States, totaling 695 infections this year up to now, according to the CDC.

"The current outbreak is deeply troubling and I call on all health care providers to badure patients the effectiveness and safety of the measles vaccine," said CDC director Robert Redfield. in a statement on Wednesday.

The high number of cases in 2019 is mainly due to a few major epidemics – one in the state of Washington and two large ones in New York that started late 2018. Epidemics in New York and in the state of New York are among the largest and longest lasting since the elimination of measles in 2000. The longer these outbreaks, the more likely that measles will be sustainable again in the United States, according to the CDC.

Health officials urge everyone to adhere to the CDC vaccine guidelines to protect themselves and their families.

People must receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person does not know if she is immune, she should contact her health care provider, said the Suffolk Department of Health. As a general rule, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given between 12 and 15 months and the second dose between four and six years (age of school entry), although individuals can also be vaccinated later in life. In the state of New York, measles immunization is mandatory for children enrolled in schools, daycares and kindergartens. Since August 1990, students must also demonstrate immunity against measles.

In New York, parents may request waivers of immunization obligations for children attending public schools based on religious beliefs and certain medical conditions.

A growing movement against vaccination leaves a growing number of children at risk of infection, health officials said.