About Measles:
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 health care
provider.
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.
A new requirement Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law
in June ended all non-medical exemptions for vaccines required for children to
attend all public, private and parochial schools, as well as childcare
programs.
Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if
they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella
(MMR) vaccine, have had measles disease, or have a lab test confirming
immunity. Individuals who are not immune to measles and are exposed are at risk
for developing measles.
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.
Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or
runny nose. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as
early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.
