The number of confirmed measles cases in Rockland County has jumped to 180 and the county is looking to stem the tide despite a judge’s order to lift the state of emergency declared more than two weeks ago. In a press conference earlier this week, County Executive Ed Day said the county health department is doing what it can to keep the measles from spreading…
Free MMR shots are available today from 1 to 3 pm at the Monsey WIC office at 23 Robert Pitt Drive in Monsey.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth; 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus become infected. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone. You can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a measles rash.
Anyone who visited the following locations or used the following taxis at these times may have been exposed to measles:
- Spring Valley Drug Pharmacy, located at 180 E. Central Avenue, Spring Valley, NY 10977 on Thursday, April 4 from 1:44 pm to 1:46 pm with risk of exposure until 3:46 pm, and on Friday, April 5 from 2:10 pm to 2:30 pm with a risk of exposure until 4:30 pm.
- Hudson Valley Radiology, located at 18 Squadron Blvd., New City NY 10956 on Thursday, April 4 from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm, with risk of exposure until 7:15 pm.
- International Taxi that initially traveled to Hudson Valley Radiology, located at 18 Squadron Blvd., New City NY 10956 on Thursday, April 4 from 3:50 pm to 4:30 pm with a risk of exposure until 6:30 pm.
- International Taxi that initially traveled from Hudson Valley Radiology, located at 18 Squadron Blvd., New City NY 10956 on Thursday, April 4 from 5:15 pm to 5:45 pm with a risk of exposure until 7:45 pm.
- La Familia Taxi that initially traveled from Refuah Health Center, located at 728 N. Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 on Thursday, April 4 from 1:00 pm to 1:06 pm with a risk of exposure until 3:06 pm.
These times reflect the period that the infected individuals were in these areas and a two-hour period after they left the areas, because the virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. If you were present at these locations during these times, especially if you are in any of the following high-risk groups, contact your health care provider by phone right away (call before going for care):
- Pregnant
- A child under 6 months of age
- Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (when your body can’t fight disease)
- Have not been vaccinated against the measles
- Were born before 1957 and are immunosuppressed
The Health Department is asking all health care providers to immediately report all cases of suspect measles to the Rockland County Department of Health Communicable Disease Program staff by calling (845) 364-2997 during normal business hours, or (845) 364-8600 after hours/weekends. Health Care Providers can also call this number for additional information.
Residents can get more information about measles by visiting https://bit.ly/2zh4v1G and by calling the New York State Department of Health toll free Measles Information Line at (888) 364-4837.