Long Island (Nassau Co. NY) Measles Alert

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.wnbc.com/news/15814110/detail.html

Nassau County Issues Measles Alert

POSTED: 12:18 pm EDT April 7, 2008
UPDATED: 12:25 pm EDT April 7, 2008

NEW YORK -- The Nassau County Department of Health issued a measles alert on Monday after one person was diagnosed with the disease.

Officials said others may have been exposed to the person with measles if they were at the Fortunoff Source Mall or shopping on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst on the afternoon of Thursday, April 3rd.

In a statement, the Health Department said people in these specific places were possibly exposed:

# In Cedarhurst: Verizon Wireless Store, Washington Mutual (WAMU) and Aries Nail Salon between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

# At the Source: Maternity Works, Gymboree, Children's Place, Old Navy Store and the restrooms between 5:00 p.m. and midnight.

The health department said it would provide immune globulin prevention injections to high-risk individuals in those locations at those times. High-risk individuals include unimmunized pregnant women, unimmunized immunocompromised individuals and infants under the age of one year.

Officials asked all high-risk individuals to contact the Health Department at 888-844-8657.

IMAGES IN T

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Long Island (Nassau Co. NY) Measles Alert

Source: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--measleswarning0408apr08,0,5117772.story

Health officials issue measles advisories in NYC, Long Island
April 8, 2008

NEW YORK - Health officials issued warnings Tuesday that outbreaks of measles in Europe and Israel could be cause for concern in the New York area, a day after Long Island officials said a baby who flew from Tel Aviv to New Jersey with the disease may have exposed thousands.

Although most people are vaccinated against measles as children, health officials said anyone who hasn't or who may be at high risk would be offered free shots of immune globulin.

Those at high risk include pregnant women and infants under age 1 who may have come in contact with the 8-month-old boy, who arrived at Newark-Liberty Airport from Israel on April 2.

The baby, who was not identified, is doing well, health officials said.

Officials in Nassau County said Monday they learned the baby apparently had been at the Fortunoff Source Mall in Westbury, as well as in several stores in Cedarhurst, last Thursday between 1 p.m. and midnight, and may have exposed thousands to the disease.

On Tuesday, health officials in neighboring Suffolk County on eastern Long Island issued a similar advisory for any of its residents who may have come in contact with the boy.

Measles can be spread by coughing, sneezing and through the air, meaning anyone in a room with someone infected can potentially get the disease. It can result in severe complications, including encephalitis, pneumonia, and death. Because the symptoms are so debilitating, those sickened often go to hospital emergency rooms or clinics, where they can infect large numbers of people.

Also Tuesday, New York City health officials advised residents traveling abroad, especially to Europe and to Israel, to make sure they are vaccinated against measles.

"Vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and others, whether you are traveling to Europe or to a developing country," said Dr. Jane R. Zucker, the Health Department's assistant commissioner for immunization.

Ten measles cases have been identified so far in the city in 2008. Last year, the city Health Department investigated 36 suspected measles cases, and five were confirmed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 24 measles cases have been reported nationwide this year.

On the Net:

Health Department: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/imm/immmea.shtml.