By Brianna Mikes
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was joined by Nassau County’s Commissioner of Health Dr. Larry Eisenstein, Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) board chairman George Tsunis and State Senator Kevin Thomas on Thursday, to address concerns about the increase in cases of the measles. Some regions of New York State are currently experiencing a measles outbreak, including the lower Hudson Valley and parts of New York City.
“We’re here to discuss a topic that is critical to the public health of Nassau County and throughout New York State,” said Tsunis. “If your child is not vaccinated, please do not wait – vaccinate.”
Curran said, “Measles is an airborne virus that can live for up to two hours in an air space where an infected person has sneezed or coughed . . . Please check with your healthcare provider to assure you are fully protected.”
If people breathe contaminated air or touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouth, they can become infected.
Curran said that since the start of the current outbreak, in late December, there have been more than 450 confirmed cases of measles in New York state. On Tuesday, New York City declared a public health emergency and said there would be mandatory vaccinations.
“While Nassau County has not had a case of measles since 2013, we are on alert, especially with expected holiday travels within the next couple of weeks,” Curran said.
“The good news is Nassau County continues to have high levels of vaccination.”
The latest school vaccination rates for measles in Nassau County are 98.96 percent in public schools (Pre-K to grade 12) and 97.37 for private schools.
Curran added that “the percentage of children with religious exemptions is . . . very low.” Those percentages for Nassau County are: 0.664 percent for public schools and 1.84 percent for private schools.
According to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, most religions have no prohibitions against vaccinations. But some do.
“One thing I would like to note is that I’ve reached out to our Orthodox (Jewish) community here in Nassau, and they continue to urge vaccination and regular pediatrician visits in their communities,” said Curran. “As one rabbi told me, ‘we believe in scientific progress.’”
The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with a high fever, and several days later a characteristic rash appears on the face and then spreads over the body.
“Some of the early symptoms of measles could even be similar to what you might see from allergies,” added Dr. Eisenstein. “As we know, the trees are starting to open, and it is allergy season, and so the early symptoms of measles include red, itchy eyes, cough, runny nose – those things can easily be mistaken for allergic symptoms. Measles can kill people, especially children, and I hope our residents don’t wait for such a tragedy to change their minds before vaccinating their children.”
“This is the state’s worst measles outbreak in decades,” said Senator Thomas. “Our community is at a heightened risk – and not just because of our proximity to Brooklyn and Queens (where over 200 cases have been confirmed). More than 70 schools in Long Island have vaccination rates that are below the 96th percent goals set by the state health department. In these schools, a single measles case could expose our children to a full-scale outbreak.”
Residents with concerns can call Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9697 or call their healthcare provider.
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