Officials in Nassau County, New York, have confirmed the state's first case of measles outside of New York City this year. The unvaccinated child is the third individual in the state to test positive for the highly contagious disease in 2021.

The Nassau County health officials announced the measles case on Saturday, following confirmation of the diagnosis by the state Health Department's Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany on Friday. The specific details about the affected child and the exact location within Nassau were not disclosed.

The health department of Nassau County is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with state authorities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been notified about this case.

Nassau County Health Commissioner, Dr. Irina Gelman, stated that the department is actively investigating potential exposures and taking necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of measles. Dr. Gelman emphasized the importance of staying up-to-date with immunizations and urged all residents to protect their health.

This marks the third measles case in New York State this year, with the previous two cases reported in New York City. There have also been recent measles cases reported in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as part of a global outbreak.

According to state reports, the last measles cases in Nassau County were recorded in September 2019, involving a foreign resident recently arrived in the country and a patient who had traveled on the Long Island Rail Road. The rail company responded by implementing additional cleaning measures.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that primarily spreads through coughing or sneezing. Individuals can contract the virus by directly breathing it in or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Complications from measles can be severe, leading to pneumonia, encephalitis, miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization, and even death.

To prevent the spread of measles, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Vaccinated individuals are generally protected for life. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald urged residents to verify their immunization status and receive a vaccine if necessary. Individuals unsure of their vaccination status were advised to consult their doctors.

Health officials also mentioned that those born between 1957 and 1971 should ensure the reliability of their vaccines from that time period. Those born before 1957 are likely to have acquired immunity due to previous exposure to the virus.

Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash of red, raised bumps on the skin that appears three to five days later. The disease can be transmitted up to four days before the rash appears.

For the unvaccinated, there is a high likelihood of contracting the illness if exposed. In such cases, individuals may be required to quarantine for up to 21 days, as advised by the state Health Department.

As the investigation into this measles case continues, health authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent further transmission and protect the community's health.

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