SMITHTOWN, New York – Health officials in Suffolk County are on high alert after a child under the age of five tested positive for measles following treatment at a medical center in nearby Nassau County. The child, who was unvaccinated, was treated at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, raising concerns about potential exposure to others.
Authorities are now conducting investigations to determine if anyone else may have come into contact with the highly contagious virus. Dr. John Zaso, a pediatrician and board member for the Nassau County Department of Health, stressed the severity of the situation, stating that measles is known to be the most contagious infectious disease in the world. He warned that for every confirmed case, there is a significant risk of additional exposures, potentially affecting as many as nine to 10 other individuals.
State health officials have pinpointed specific locations where exposure may have occurred, including the Pediatric Emergency Department and the Medicine Three Unit at the medical center. Efforts are underway to prevent further cases from emerging, with the hospital working closely with health authorities in containment measures.
Measles can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even blindness, with a fatality rate of approximately one in every 500 children who contract the disease. Vaccination is strongly recommended by health experts as the most effective way to prevent measles and safeguard children from its potentially deadly consequences.
Dr. Zaso urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. He stressed the importance of immunization in protecting both individual children and the broader community from the spread of measles.
The child with measles in this case did not attend school or day care while contagious, reducing the risk of widespread exposure. Health officials also stated that the Long Island case appears to be isolated and not linked to any recent measles outbreaks across the United States, including a tragic case in Texas involving a school-aged child. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and safeguarding public health.