Seneca County Public Health Director Scott King says five confirmed measles cases and dozens of other likely illnesses meet the state definition of an outbreak, according to the Finger Lakes Times.
King said two of the five confirmed patients were hospitalized and warned the virus is spreading primarily among unvaccinated residents.
County health staff have increased home visits to provide MMR vaccinations, though King said the highly contagious virus is making it difficult to get ahead of transmission.
He said the overall risk to the general public remains low, especially for people who are fully vaccinated or were born before 1957 and are presumed to have natural immunity.
Health officials recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, which are 97% effective at preventing measles, and are urging residents who may have been exposed to review their immunization records.
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