Orange County Health Department confirms six cases of measles

GOSHEN — The Orange County Department of Health is advising residents that as of Monday, Dec. 17, there are six confirmed cases of measles in the county.
Three of these cases have been laboratory confirmed in children who attend school in Orange County. The Health Department is working closely with the affected school(s) and individuals have been notified.
Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated persons have been excluded from school since measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people.
Free clinicThe Health Department will be holding a free clinic to administer MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine to non-immune individuals aged 12 months and older. This MMR vaccine clinic is in response to the measles outbreak currently affecting Orange County and surrounding counties. The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.
Date: Friday, Dec. 21
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Location: 124 Main St., Goshen (second floor)
Please register at www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/36
Individuals who lack immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated are at risk of developing measles.
Symptoms of measles include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis and/or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear in 10-12 days after exposure, but may appear as early as seven days and may take as long as 21 days.
Persons who become ill should contact their primary care provider by phone or the Orange County Department of Health at (845) 291-2330 before seeking care to avoid exposing others to illness.