Two more Cayuga County residents have tested positive for measles, bringing the county’s total to five and renewing health officials’ call for residents to check their vaccination records.
The two newly confirmed patients live in the same household, the Cayuga County Health Department announced Thursday, Nov. 5. Laboratory testing confirmed both infections.
The department said all five residents with confirmed cases were either unvaccinated against measles, lacked verifiable vaccination records or were too young to receive the vaccine. The announcement did not identify which category applied to the newest patients.
The county previously reported confirmed cases Sept. 8, Oct. 16 and Oct. 19. The latest announcement comes as other infections have been identified across Central New York and the Finger Lakes.
In our coverage published Thursday, Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy and Dr. Cassandra Archer, director of community health services, discussed the county’s first three cases during an appearance on Inside Government with host Guy Cosentino.
Cuddy has cautioned that a missing vaccination record does not establish that someone was never vaccinated. Residents uncertain about their protection should contact their health care provider about reviewing records, checking immunity or receiving a vaccine when medically appropriate.
The interview also emphasized how easily measles can spread before someone recognizes the illness. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, and people can spread it before the rash appears. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
County health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, are about 97% effective at preventing measles, according to the state Department of Health.
- Cayuga County measles cases bring renewed push to check vaccination records (video)
- BEYOND THE FRONT PAGE: Cayuga County Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy talks being beyond pandemic regulatory restrictions (podcast)
- INSIDE THE FLX: Talking COVID with Finger Lakes health department leaders (podcast)
Most primary care offices offer MMR vaccinations. Cayuga County residents without a health care provider or health insurance can receive vaccinations by appointment through the county Health Department.
Anyone who believes they were exposed or develops symptoms should contact a health care provider promptly and call before arriving for care so staff can take precautions to protect other patients, the CDC advises.
Questions about measles, vaccination or testing can be directed to a health care provider or the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1560.
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