Shoppers at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Walmart in Newark and Aldi in Lyons may have been exposed to measles between Oct. 31 and Nov. 3, Wayne County Public Health warned Monday.
The county’s Nov. 9 exposure alert identifies four exposure windows at three stores. The listed times include when an infected person was present and the two hours afterward, when the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces.
Exposure locations and times
- Oct. 31, 1–4 p.m.: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 6740 Route 31, Newark, in the Arcadia Shopping Center.
- Nov. 1, 1–4 p.m.: Aldi Food Market, 20 Route 31, Lyons.
- Nov. 1, 3–6 p.m.: Walmart, 6788 Route 31 East, Newark.
- Nov. 3, 7–9:30 p.m.: Walmart, 6788 Route 31 East, Newark.
Anyone who was at one of those locations during a listed window should check their vaccination records and monitor for symptoms, the department said.
Watch for symptoms and call before seeking care
People who may have been exposed should watch for fever or rash for seven to 21 days after exposure. Anyone who develops a fever and an unexplained rash should call their local health department.
Before going to a doctor’s office, urgent care center or hospital, call ahead and report possible measles symptoms so staff can take precautions to protect other patients and workers.
Measles is a serious viral illness that can require hospitalization and cause severe complications or death. Infection during pregnancy increases the risk of early labor, miscarriage and low birth weight, according to the county.
Check protection and vaccination status
The county listed written proof of two valid doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, a laboratory report showing immunity, or birth before 1957 as evidence of protection against measles.
Two doses of measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection after exposure, compared with about 93% for one dose, the department said.
As the state’s outbreak continues, Wayne County is urging unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated and recommending two MMR doses for children and adults in its outbreak guidance. Vaccines are available through pediatricians, other health care providers and local health departments.
MMR is a live vaccine and should not be given to people who are pregnant or severely immunocompromised. Those patients should ask a clinician about protection, according to CDC guidance.
Deputy Public Health Director Kerry VanAuken said the overall public risk remains low because most people are vaccinated, but infants younger than 12 months, people who are undervaccinated and those with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk if exposed.
The department advised people at higher risk to avoid outbreak areas and crowded settings where exposures may occur, and to ensure household members and caregivers are fully vaccinated to help protect infants and people with weakened immune systems.
Post-exposure care is time-sensitive
The county said MMR vaccine can be used within 72 hours of exposure for eligible unvaccinated or undervaccinated people age 6 months and older. Immune globulin can be given to infants younger than 12 months within six days after exposure.
The 72-hour window has passed for the exposures listed in this alert. People concerned about an exposure should promptly contact a health care provider or public health department to discuss whether any time-sensitive treatment is appropriate; vaccination can still protect against future exposures, according to CDC guidance.
For questions, help checking vaccination status or an MMR appointment, contact Wayne County Public Health at 315-946-5749 or wcph@waynecountyny.gov.
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