New City, NY – As measles cases rise both nationally and globally, the Rockland County Department of Health is urging residents to ensure they are protected against the highly contagious disease. While no measles cases have been reported in Rockland County this year, health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent potential outbreaks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 20, 2025, there have been 93 measles cases reported in the United States. The affected states include Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas. Approximately 25% of those infected have required hospitalization, including one individual who needed intensive care.
The majority of the cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals, with the remainder involving people who were not fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which are highly effective at preventing measles. Those who are not protected through past infection or vaccination remain at risk.
“Springtime increases the likelihood of coming in contact with measles and for outbreaks to occur given increased travel both locally and internationally,” said Dr. Chitra Punjabi, Director of TB and Communicable Disease Control at the Rockland County Health Department. “Talk to your healthcare provider about your measles vaccination status, especially if you’re planning to travel. Keep your children protected from this potentially deadly disease—make sure their vaccinations are up to date.”
Measles is known for its extreme contagiousness, with approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals becoming infected when exposed. The virus spreads through the air via coughs and sneezes and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes), and a runny nose.
Certain groups are more susceptible to severe complications from measles, including children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Complications can range from pneumonia and encephalitis to miscarriage, preterm birth, hospitalization, and even death.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day encouraged residents to remain vigilant. “As the disease spreads in the US and abroad, residents should take proactive measures and check with their healthcare provider to ensure they are protected and prevent another measles outbreak in Rockland,” Day said.
For more information on measles prevention and vaccination, residents can visit the Rockland County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health websites. Vaccinations can be scheduled at www.vaccine.gov.
Health officials stress that staying up-to-date with vaccinations is the most effective way to protect against measles and help maintain community health and safety.
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