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WHITE PLAINS, NY – Sherlita Amler, Westchester County Health Commissioner, advises county residents to check their measles immunization status and assures county residents that the Department of Health is closely monitoring the situation. Sherlita Amler, MD, said she was in close contact with health officials from Rockland County and New York State and that she was ready to respond if a case occurred. presented here.
"Measles is very contagious and can be dangerous for all unvaccinated persons or for whom natural immunity is suppressed.The time has come to check with your doctor the status of your vaccine and that of your children, and receive the MMR vaccine if you are not up to date, "she says.
MMR vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The county's Department of Health offers free MMR vaccine appointments for underinsured, uninsured and student children and adults. To schedule a vaccine visit Friday at Yonkers County or White Plains clinics, call 914-995-5800.
People are considered protected or immunized against measles if they have passed a laboratory test confirming their immunity. Those born before 1957 and those who have medical documents attesting that they have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are also considered immune. Children usually receive the first dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.
If you are not sure of being immunized against measles, contact your health care provider. Two doses of MMR vaccine can provide 97% protection against measles.
Mr. Amler added that anyone considering traveling abroad with a child six months of age or older who has not yet received a first dose of MMR should talk to their child's doctor. before leaving the United States to protect against measles outbreaks abroad. Your child will always need two doses of MMR at the usual time, she said.
For the latest travel reviews on measles, go here.
In New York, measles vaccination is mandatory for children enrolled in schools, daycares and pre-kindergartens. Since August 1990, students are also required to demonstrate immunity against measles.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through direct contact with the nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants and young children, as it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness and death. Non-immunized pregnant women, as well as immunocompromised or immunosuppressed people (when your body can not fight the disease) are also at risk of complications in case of measles. About one in four people who contract measles will be hospitalized.
Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (watery eyes) or runny nose. People are considered infectious four to four days after the onset of the rash. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure, but they can appear as early as seven days and up to 21 days after exposure.
If you think you have been exposed and have symptoms consistent with measles, contact your health care provider, local clinic, or emergency department in your area before receiving treatment. This will help prevent others from being exposed.
Health care providers must immediately report all suspected measles cases in Westchester to the Westchester County Department of Health's Communicable Disease Program at 914-813-5180 during regular business hours or at 914-813 -5,000 after hours / weekends.
For more health information, visit www.westchestergov.com/health.
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