New Locations Added For Possible Measles Exposure In Hamptons

WESTHAMPTON, NY — A person identified as having the first adult measles case reported in Suffolk County visited additional spots in the Hamptons while infectious — meaning anyone in those locations might have been exposed to measles, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said Friday.

Anyone who visited King Kullen, located at 52 East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays on April 20 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., or CVS, located at 111 South Main Street in Southampton on April 20 between 4:45 p.m. and 7 p.m., might have been exposed, health officials said.

Those times reflect the period that the infected individual was at the locations and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, the SCDHS said.

All individuals who were exposed to measles should contact their health care provider to assess their measles immunity, county officials said. Those who have symptoms consistent with measles are advised to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care, in order to help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said while giving an update Friday morning.

SCDHS was notified of a laboratory confirmed case of measles in an adult who arrived recently from outside of the United States, Bellone said. At the present time, the case does not appear to be related to any current measles cases in New York State, he added.

SCDHS, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, is investigating the case, and will take appropriate action based on the findings.

Anyone who visited the BNB bank located at 48 East Montauk Highway, in Hampton Bays, on Saturday April 20, 2019, from 12:15 p.m. until the bank closed at 1:00 p.m. may have been exposed to measles. If you were in the bank at that time, or either of the other two locations, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Public Health staff at 631-854-0333 during business hours. After hours and on the weekend, call 631-852-4820.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR, vaccine, have had measles disease, or have a lab test confirming immunity, the SCDHS said.

Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles. Preventive treatment for measles is recommended for those without evidence of immunity: MMR vaccine can be given to eligible exposed individuals within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin can be administered within six days of exposure, county health officials said.

To prevent the spread of illness, the health department is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people, county officials said. People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. 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.

The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated, Bellone said, adding that individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider, he added.

Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose should be given at four to six years of age, or age of school entry, although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life, county officials said.

In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles, county officials said

For families traveling overseas, a baby between the ages of 6 through 11 months old should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before leaving; if a child is 12 months of age or older, he or she will need two doses of MMR vaccine — separated by at least 28 days — before departure, the SCDHS said.

SCDHS reminded all health providers that it is mandatory to report all cases or suspected cases of measles to the SCDHS Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at 631-854-0333.

At the press event, Bellone said measles can be especially dangerous for infants, children, the elderly or anyone with lowered immunities.

It's critical for individuals to work with their primary care providers to make sure all their vaccines are up to date, Bellone said. "We cannot emphasize this enough," he said. "Measles are preventable." He added that the vaccination is necessary not only to protect the individual receiving it, but also those in the community who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants under 12 months.

The case in Suffolk County, Bellone said, "is the first case in a very long time. We want the public to be aware of what has transpired." He added that "every precaution possible is being taken" but the best way to prevent measles is by vaccination.

According to a Newsday report, the last measles case in Suffolk was diagnosed in 2017, and in Nassau County in 2013.

Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commisioner Dr. James Tomarken stressed the importance of individuals having documentation of immunizations not just for measles but all communicable diseases.

"In this case, the individual is from out of the country. It's not unexpected when people come from countries where the immunization status is less than what we would require," he said. "This is an isolated case."

County officials said they could not discuss what country the impacted individual was from due to privacy issues.

For facts about measles, click here or here.

Anyone with questions can call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at 631-854-0333, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours and on the weekends, call 631-631-852-4820.