Officials Aim to Stop Disease Spread as Second Measles Case Reported

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department announced another confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated adult resident. This second individual resides with the first confirmed case and is now recovering and no longer contagious to others. No additional patient information will be released to protect their privacy.

“Our County Health Department is doing a great job monitoring this situation closely,” said Oswego County Legislator Paul House, District 8, chairman of the Legislature’s Health Committee. “They have been providing ongoing guidance about measles symptoms and prevention strategies to the public, and especially to anyone who may have been exposed to the virus, to help reduce any further spread of the disease.”

Dr. Christina Liepke, Oswego County Medical Director, said the risk to the public remains low right now because of how these two cases are connected.

“Still, the measles virus is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing,” she said. “I want to remind everyone to be aware of its symptoms, which include a rash with a high fever and cough. Also, please call your health care provider before going into their office to avoid spreading it to other patients and medical staff.”

Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor also stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of disease.

“Vaccines not only help protect children and adults from preventable diseases but also help build ‘herd immunity’ to safeguard communities from potential outbreaks,” she said. “Please check your vaccination status and make sure your kids are up to date with their vaccinations as well.”

For optimal protection, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose given to children aged 12 to 15 months, and the second dose given between 4 to 6 years of age.

“Once again, I urge residents to get vaccinated,” she stressed. “It’s the best way to protect yourselves and your children. Just two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective against disease transmission – for a lifetime!

The Oswego County Health Department offers weekly immunization clinics every Tuesday at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego. Adults and children can receive various vaccinations by appointment only from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Most insurances are accepted and no one will be turned away. To make a vaccination appointment, call the health department’s Preventive Division at 315-349-3547.

The measles virus is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. Initial symptoms include a high fever, cough, red eyes and runny nose. One to four days later, a rash develops on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, hands and feet.

A person with measles is considered contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days afterward. While the incubation period for measles is typically 7-14 days, symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure.

Anyone not protected from it is at risk of serious health complications, especially those under 5 years of age. Measles during pregnancy can increase the risk of early labor, miscarriage and low-birth-weight infants.

To make a vaccination appointment, report a potential exposure, or learn more about the measles virus and vaccine, call your primary care provider or the health department’s Preventive Division at 315-349-3547.

Due to the limited risk to the public at this time, the Oswego County Health Department will not issue a news release for new confirmed measles cases in the immediate future. If and when it is determined there is a risk for potential exposure, the public will be notified immediately.

For up-to-date reports on confirmed measles cases, click on New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH’s) measles dashboard. It is updated weekly, on Tuesday afternoons, and shows cases reported through Saturday of the previous week. For more general information about the measles virus, click on NYSDOH.

The Legislature’s Health Committee oversees the Health Department. In addition to Legislator House, committee members include Vice Chairman Roy E. Reehil, District 5; Gena Bartlett, District 24; Dorothy Caldwell, District 17; Richard Kline, District 12; Michael Solowy, District 23; and Lee B. Walker, Jr., District 15.