Garnet Health has issued a warning about the high contagiousness of measles following the appearance of new cases in the region. The organization emphasized that measles is an airborne virus, which can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms commonly associated with measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading three to five days after initial symptoms appear.
“If you suspect you may have measles, do not walk into a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency room. This puts others at risk, especially babies, pregnant individuals and people with weakened immune systems. Call ahead to your healthcare provider, emergency room or urgent care. Providers will give you safe instructions on your next steps,” Garnet Health stated.
The health system strongly recommended vaccination as the best protection against measles. “The two-dose measles vaccine offers the best protection and is considered the standard for full vaccination. The vaccine is safe, effective and strongly recommended,” according to Garnet Health.
Residents of Orange, Sullivan, or Ulster County who develop symptoms or believe they have been exposed are advised to visit garnethealth.org/measles for further guidance and contact information.
Garnet Health operates as a not-for-profit corporation based in Middletown, New York. It serves more than 500,000 residents across Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties through its network of hospitals and healthcare services. The system employs over 4,000 professionals and maintains academic affiliations with Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.
