Health Department Advises New York City Doctors to Be on the Lookout for Measles

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has identified 11 cases of measles in Brooklyn during the past two months, and is urging doctors to be vigilant and promptly report suspected cases to the agency. Nearly all the known cases have occurred in children who went unvaccinated, leaving them unprotected against the disease. Measles is not common in New York City, but it is highly contagious. Measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. As many as one in three children with measles develop complications such as diarrhea, ear infection or pneumonia. Some children have to be hospitalized, and some can even die. Younger children, and those with weakened immune systems, are the most likely to suffer severe illness. People who contract the measles virus can spread the infection for five days before developing a rash, and for four days after the rash sets in. Measles vaccination is required for admission to the city’s schools, colleges, and daycare centers. The first measles vaccine dose should be given at the time of the child’s first birthday, with the second dose being administered at four to six years of age. In New York City, approximately 92% of children between the ages of 19 and 35 months have received a measles vaccine.