A suspected measles case in Cayuga County has now been confirmed by laboratory testing, adding another county to a widening cluster of infections reported across the Finger Lakes in recent weeks.
The Cayuga County Health Department said Tuesday that the resident initially reported as a suspected case on Sept. 4 tested positive for measles. Contact tracing and a case investigation remain underway, and health officials said people identified as close contacts will be notified about their potential exposure.
Post-exposure treatment has already been offered and administered to unvaccinated household members and other close contacts, according to the health department.
The Cayuga County case comes amid a broader increase in measles across the region. Recent local health department reports have identified nine confirmed cases in Steuben County, five in Seneca County, two in Ontario County and one in Yates County. Including the newly confirmed Cayuga County infection, at least 18 cases have been reported across those five counties based on the latest available local totals.
Available information has not established that all of the cases across the region are connected.
Seneca County officials have described their situation as a measles outbreak, while Steuben County has seen its confirmed case count rise steadily in recent weeks. Many of the cases reported by counties have involved unvaccinated residents, and public health departments across the region have been conducting contact tracing and vaccination efforts.
Cayuga County tracing contacts
Cayuga County officials did not release identifying information about the infected resident or publicly list exposure locations in Tuesday’s update.
The Health Department said it continues to work closely with the person who tested positive while determining who may have been exposed.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for a period of time after an infected person leaves an area, making rapid identification of contacts an important part of the public health response.
Health officials across the Finger Lakes have generally been directly contacting people known to have been exposed when those individuals can be identified.
Cayuga County is also urging residents to make sure they are vaccinated against measles. The department said two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine have been proven safe and effective at preventing infection.
Most primary care offices provide the MMR vaccine. Cayuga County residents who don’t have a health care provider or health insurance can receive vaccinations through the county Health Department by appointment.
What residents should watch for
Measles symptoms generally begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A red, blotchy rash typically develops several days later, usually beginning near the face or hairline before spreading down the body.
Recent guidance from public health officials in the region has urged anyone who believes they were exposed to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days.
People who develop symptoms or believe they may have measles should contact a health care provider before arriving at a doctor’s office, urgent care center or emergency department. Calling ahead allows medical staff to take precautions that can reduce the risk of exposing other patients.
The risk of serious complications is greater for some groups, including young children, pregnant people, those who are immunocompromised and people who haven’t been vaccinated.
Post-exposure treatment can also be an option in some circumstances if provided quickly. Public health officials have previously advised that an MMR vaccine administered within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin given within six days may prevent measles or reduce the severity of illness in some people.
Cayuga County residents with questions about measles, vaccination or testing can contact their health care provider or the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1560.
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