Well being officers final week reported a case of measles in an unvaccinated youngster from Nassau County who’s beneath the age of 5. That is the third case in New York State in 2024, with the opposite two being recognized in New York Metropolis.Here’s what we all know to this point about this case and easy methods to shield your loved ones from measles:Is there an opportunity different folks had been contaminated?Officers mentioned there was potential publicity to measles for the general public and individuals who had been in the Cohen Kids’s Medical Middle Emergency Division ready room and remedy space at 269-01 76 Ave. in Glen Oaks, Queens, close to the Nassau border, from 6:45 p.m. March 20 to three:30 p.m. March 21. The hospital is contacting sufferers who had been there throughout this time.What can I do to make sure my household is protected in opposition to measles?Test together with your youngster’s well being care supplier to ensure they’ve obtained two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The federal Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned kids ought to get their first dose at 12 to fifteen months outdated and the second dose between 4 and 6.State well being officers mentioned individuals who had been born earlier than 1957 had been in all probability uncovered to the virus and are immune. Folks born between 1957 and 1971 ought to test with their docs to ensure they had been correctly immunized.What’s measles?Measles is a extremely contagious virus that may result in problems reminiscent of ear infections and diarrhea, in line with the CDC. In very critical circumstances it could possibly result in pneumonia and encephalitis.These at most danger of growing problems embody kids youthful than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant ladies and individuals who have compromised immune programs.What are some widespread signs of measles?The primary signs seem between one and two weeks after an infection. They embody a excessive fever that will exceed 104 levels, cough, runny nostril, purple, watery eyes and a rash that may develop three to 5 days after signs begin.How is it unfold?Measles is extremely contagious. When an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes, measles spreads by way of the air. The CDC mentioned kids can get the measles by simply being in a room the place an contaminated individual was two hours earlier.An individual can unfold the virus even earlier than they know they’re contaminated, from 4 days earlier than growing the rash to 4 days after, officers mentioned.Wasn’t measles eradicated in the US?Measles was declared eradicated in the US in 2000. However it is rather widespread in different elements of the world, and circumstances might be introduced right here by vacationers who should not vaccinated. The CDC mentioned as of March 21, 64 measles circumstances had been reported in 2024 in 17 jurisdictions together with New York Metropolis, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.What number of kids on Lengthy Island have obtained their measles vaccine?In response to the New York State Division of Well being, 80.9% of kids in Nassau County and 82.1 % of kids in Suffolk County have obtained their first dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of two. Lisa joined Newsday as a employees author in 2019. She beforehand labored at amNewYork, the New York Every day Information and the Asbury Park Press masking politics, authorities and normal project.