The number of confirmed measles cases across the Finger Lakes has reached at least 20 after Wayne County reported its first two infections, extending a regional increase that has now touched six counties.
Wayne County Public Health confirmed the two cases Saturday, Sept. 12. Both involve unvaccinated residents, and health officials are working with the state Department of Health and local providers to identify and contact people who may have been exposed.
Based on the latest county totals reported by FingerLakes1.com and local health departments, Steuben County has reported nine confirmed cases, Seneca County five, Ontario County two, Wayne County two, Yates County one and Cayuga County one.
That brings the regional total to at least 20 confirmed infections across those six counties. Available information has not established that all of the cases are connected.
Where confirmed cases stand by county
Steuben County continues to have the largest number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the region, with nine.
The county’s total increased steadily from four cases in late August to six, then eight and finally nine by Sept. 3. Several of the more recent cases involved unvaccinated residents who had contact with previously identified cases.
Seneca County has reported five confirmed cases. Public Health Director Scott King previously said those infections, combined with dozens of additional likely illnesses, met New York’s definition of a measles outbreak.
Two of Seneca County’s five confirmed patients had been hospitalized when county officials provided their most recent detailed update. Officials said transmission there was occurring primarily among unvaccinated people.
Ontario County has reported two confirmed cases, both involving unvaccinated residents. Public Health learned of those positive results Aug. 31 and said the two infections were related.
Wayne County now joins Ontario with two confirmed cases. The Sept. 12 announcement marks the first documented measles infections in Wayne County during the current regional increase.
Yates County has reported one confirmed case involving an unvaccinated resident. County officials were notified of that positive result Sept. 1 and said the infection wasn’t associated with recent travel, indicating the person was likely exposed locally.
Cayuga County also has one confirmed case. That infection was initially reported as suspected Sept. 4 before laboratory testing confirmed measles several days later.
The latest confirmed county totals are:
- Steuben County: 9
- Seneca County: 5
- Ontario County: 2
- Wayne County: 2
- Yates County: 1
- Cayuga County: 1
- Total: 20
Wayne County begins contact tracing
Wayne County’s two new cases add another public health investigation to the regional response.
The county is identifying people who may have encountered the infected residents and following up with potential contacts. Officials continue to describe the overall risk to the public as low, particularly for people who are fully vaccinated.
The county has not released information establishing whether its two cases are connected to infections reported elsewhere in the Finger Lakes.
That distinction remains important across the region. While individual counties have identified links among some patients, the available information does not establish a single chain of transmission connecting all 20 confirmed cases.
Health officials continue vaccination push
Measles spreads through the air and is highly contagious. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
Public health departments have repeatedly urged residents to verify their vaccination status as investigations have expanded.
People at higher risk include those who are unvaccinated, infants younger than 12 months, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.
Health officials are also asking anyone who develops symptoms or believes they were exposed to call a health care provider or local health department before showing up for in-person care. Calling ahead allows medical facilities to put precautions in place and reduce the risk of exposing other patients.
Wayne County Public Health is offering measles vaccinations by appointment and can be reached at 315-946-5749 for questions about vaccination, possible exposure or vaccination records.
The regional picture has changed quickly over the past several weeks. Seneca and Steuben counties initially accounted for most of the identified cases, but infections have since been confirmed in Ontario, Yates, Cayuga and now Wayne counties as health departments continue tracing contacts and watching for additional cases.
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