Almost two dozen “direct contacts” with infected patient, the measles virus is highly contagious
From the Allegany County Department of Health, image from CDC
Belmont, NY — The Allegany County Department of Health is investigating one confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated resident with a recent history of travel to Ohio. The Allegany County Department of Health was notified of the positive result on August 2, 2026. The resident began showing symptoms on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and is safely isolating at home until they are no longer contagious. To protect resident/patient privacy, additional details will not be released. Potential public exposure site(s) have been identified, and the Health Department has reached out to those who may have come in contact with the resident.
Potential Exposures & Contact Tracing
Because measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, public health officials conduct thorough contact tracing of the confirmed case. The Allegany County Department of Health, in close contact with local health care providers, has successfully identified and directly contacted all individuals known to have been exposed. To date, 23 direct contacts have been identified through contact tracing and have been provided information and guidance. The Health Department has notified other community and health care partners to place them on high alert.
What Exposed/Non-Exposed Individuals Should Do
1. Check Your Immunity / Vaccination Status
You are generally considered immune to measles if you meet one of the following criteria:
· You have documented records of receiving two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
· You were born before 1957
· A healthcare provider has previously confirmed through a blood test that you are immune
If you are fully vaccinated, your risk of contracting measles is very low. Unvaccinated individuals, young infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at the highest risk for severe complications. If you have symptoms or someone has notified you of an exposure, limit your activity outside of your home and with others
2. Monitor for Symptoms for 21 Days
If you were exposed or think you were exposed, monitor yourself and your family members for symptoms
Early symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:
· High fever (often rising above 101 degrees F)
· Runny nose (coryza)
· Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Subsequent symptoms:
· A red, blotchy rash typically appears 3 to 5 days after initial symptoms begin, usually starting on the face along the hairline and spreading downward to the rest of the body
3. Post-Exposure Options (Act Quickly)
If you are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised AND were exposed, contact your health care provider or ACDOH right away
· The MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure, or immune globulin (IG) given within 6 days, can prevent or reduce the severity of measles illness
4. Call Ahead Before Seeking Medical Care
DO NOT walk into a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first
If you develop symptoms or suspect you were exposed, call your primary care provider or the Emergency Room before arriving. Inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. This allows healthcare facilities to take precautions—such as placing you in an isolated room immediately—to prevent spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients in the waiting room or other areas
About Measles
Measles is a viral illness spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain alive and infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. An individual who has measles is contagious 4-days prior to a rash beginning and 4-days after the rash appears. Symptoms of measles typically begin between 7 and 14 days after exposure to the virus. Approximately 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to the virus will contract it
Risk to the Public
The overall risk of measles to the general public remains low, particularly for individuals who are fully vaccinated against the disease. However, measles is extremely contagious, and anyone unvaccinated, pregnant, under 12 months of age, or immunocompromised is at a higher risk and should talk with their health care provider
For questions regarding this public notice or measles vaccination, contact the Allegany County Department of Health at 585-268-9250 or visit www.alleganyco.gov/departments/health/or www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html
