A third Cayuga County resident has tested positive for measles, and the person lives in the same household as the patient whose case was announced Oct. 16, county health officials said Monday.
The three residents with confirmed cases were either unvaccinated against measles or did not have verifiable vaccination records, according to the Cayuga County Health Department's Oct. 19 update. The department again urged residents to get vaccinated as cases continue to be identified in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere in New York.
Cayuga's cases span September and October
The county's first confirmed case was reported Sept. 8, after officials initially identified a suspected infection Sept. 4. As FingerLakes1 reported Sept. 9, the department was investigating contacts and had offered and administered post-exposure treatment to unvaccinated household members and other identified close contacts.
The county announced its second laboratory-confirmed case Oct. 16.
A regional response that has continued for months
The latest Cayuga confirmation follows a series of investigations across the Finger Lakes. Our Sept. 13 coverage documented confirmed infections in Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties after Wayne announced its first two cases.
More recently, Seneca County's measles dashboard, last updated Oct. 16, listed 22 confirmed cases in 2026, including six in its preceding seven-day reporting period. Three of the 22 patients had been hospitalized. All 22 were listed in the dashboard's not-vaccinated category.
The dashboard recorded five cases in August, 11 in September and six in October. It also listed 139 MMR vaccine doses administered by Health Department staff during 2026.
The dashboard, which we covered earlier this month, is updated Fridays. Seneca residents with questions about exposure or vaccination records can call 315-539-1920.
Why vaccination and calling ahead matter
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can become infected in a room for up to two hours after someone with measles has left, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. Measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and other serious complications. Young children, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are among those at higher risk of severe complications.
The CDC says two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, are about 97% effective at preventing measles. Cayuga County's update describes two doses as safe and effective protection.
Anyone who develops symptoms or believes they were exposed should call a health care provider promptly before arriving for evaluation. Calling ahead lets medical staff arrange care while reducing exposure to other patients. For people who are not immune and were recently exposed, a provider may recommend MMR vaccine or immune globulin to reduce the risk of infection.
Emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing require immediate emergency care. The CDC advises having someone alert the hospital before arrival that a person with possible measles is coming.
Where to get vaccine help
Most primary care offices offer MMR, Cayuga County officials said. People without a health care provider or health insurance can receive vaccinations by appointment through the county Health Department. Questions about measles, vaccination or testing can go to a provider or the department at 315-253-1560.
In Yates County, a free adult MMR clinic we reported earlier this month is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the county Highway Department, 939 Route 14A in Penn Yan. It is a drive-thru clinic for people 18 and older, with entry from Havens Corners Road.
The county's clinic announcement requires a separate appointment for every recipient, including people traveling in the same vehicle. Participants should remain in their vehicles and wear short sleeves. Anyone unsure of their vaccination history or whether the clinic is appropriate for them should ask their provider or Yates County Public Health.
Appointments can be made through the county's registration form. Questions or help scheduling are available at 315-536-5160.
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