Erie County, NY health officials have confirmed that a recent international traveler treated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital has been diagnosed with measles.  This individual had visited multiple venues in Erie County, potentially exposing others to measles between December 4th and December 11th.

Anyone who visited the following locations in Erie County may have been exposed to measles:

  • Catholic Charities,  20 Herkimer Street, Buffalo on 12/4/2018 between 11:00am and 5:00pm
  • Erie County Department of Health Clinic, 608 William Street, Buffalo on 12/4/2018 between 11:30am and 4:00pm
  • Sweet Home High School, 1909 Sweet Home Road, Amherst on 12/5/2018 between 5:00pm and 10:30pm
  • Erie County Department of Social Services, 158 Pearl Street, Buffalo on 12/6/2018 between 8:00am and 1:00pm
  • Erie County Department of Health Clinic, 608 William Street, Buffalo on 12/6/2018 between 10:30am and 2:00pm
  • Catholic Charities,  20 Herkimer Street, Buffalo on 12/6/2018 between 11:30am and 3:00pm
  • Erie County Department of Social Services, 158 Pearl Street, Buffalo on 12/6/2018 between 12:30pm and 4:30pm
  • Aldi, 4259 Transit Road, Buffalo on 12/6/2018 between 5:00pm and 9:00pm
  • Best Buy, 4401 Transit Road, Williamsville on 12/6/2018 between 6:00pm and 9:15pm
  • Marshalls, 2383 Maple Road, Williamsville on 12/6/2018 between 6:00pm and 10:00pm
  • Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Emergency Department, 1540 Maple Road, Williamsville on 12/10/2018 between 9:00am and 5:30pm

measlesThese dates and times reflect the period that the infected individual was in these areas and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Between December 7th and 9th the infected individual was homebound.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if:

  • born before 1957, or
  • received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, or
  • have had measles disease, or
  • have a lab test confirming immunity.

Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles.  Preventive treatment for measles is recommended for those without evidence of immunity as follows:  MMR vaccine can be given to eligible exposed individuals within 72 hours of exposure OR immune globulin can be administered within 6 days of exposure.

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Image/geralt
Image/geralt

All individuals who were exposed to measles, particularly those without immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated, should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms.  Symptoms include a fever, cough, pink, watery eyes or runny nose followed by appearance of a rash.  Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

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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.  People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash.  People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.


The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.  Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected.  If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider.  Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life.  In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and pre-kindergarten.  Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

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