Potential measles exposures have reached Western New York and the Mohawk Valley, according to the New York State Department of Health.
A tourist from India, who has been confirmed to have measles, potentially exposed other to measles while visiting a NYS Thruway Travel Plaza in Herkimer County, a Monroe County hotel, Niagara Falls State Park, and a Niagara Falls restaurant between May 11 and May 12.
The announcement from the NYSDOH and the following information is a routine notification and "people shouldn't be alarmed."
Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed:
- The Iroquois Travel Plaza (rest stop) between Exit 29 (Canajoharie) and Exit 29A (Little Falls) on the NYS Thruway between 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. on May 11-12
- The Hampton Inn, 4873 Lake Road, Brockport, N.Y. between 12 a.m. - 12 p.m. on May 12
- Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls, N.Y. between 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on May 12, including the Maid of the Mist
- Swagat Fine Indian Cuisne, 24 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, N.Y. between 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. on May 12.
The times associated with each location indicate the times the tourist was in these areas, plus a two hour window after the individual left the area. The virus remains alive in air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
There is no longer a risk associated with visiting these locations.
If you are immune, you are not at risk of contracting measles. A person is unlikely to get measles is they were born before January 1, 1957, have received two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine or have a lab test confirming immunity, according to the NYSDOH.
If you are not immune or are not sure if you have been vaccinated, contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms. These include fever, rash, cough, conjuctivitis or runny nose. Symptoms usually appear within 10-12 days, although may appear as late as June 2.
If you think you have symptoms and were exposed to the virus, contact your health care provider or local emergency department before going in for care to prevent further exposure to the illness.
