Allegany has been replaced by neighboring Steuben as having the most confirmed measles cases in the state but is in second place based on numbers per population and tied with all of New York City in total cases.
A new tracking website from the State Health Department reports that Allegany County, with six confirmed cases at the end of last week, is in fourth place with all of New York City for the highest number of actual confirmations, behind Steuben with 10, Seneca nine and Otsego seven. The five areas account for two-thirds of the 57 confirmed cases in the state.
Allegany also has had over a dozen presumed cases, according to the Allegany County Health Department (ACDOH).
State reports show Allegany having more than one-out-of-five confirmed cases a month ago, when the most recent was recorded, occurring primarily in the Town of New Hudson, north of Cuba, along with the Town of Independence in the southeastern sector of the county.
It now is half that percentage as other counties, particularly Steuben and the other two Upstate areas, have continued to record cases, including one each last week.
Based on the number of cases per population, Seneca is on top, followed by Allegany, Otsego and Steuben.
Although the numbers are small to date, health officials warn that measles is a “highly contagious airborne virus,” with neighboring Pennsylvania now reporting four measles-related deaths within the past month.
Signs of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward three-to-five days after initial symptoms begin.
ACDOH, in Guidance for Residents, is requesting that county residents check immunization records to “ensure you and your family are up to date on the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine,” with two doses being 97% effective at preventing measles.
It also says to call ahead before seeking medical care.
“If you develop symptoms consistent with measles, stay home and call your healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency room before arriving. Pre-notifying the facility allows medical staff to implement isolation precautions to protect other patients and staff,” it notes.
The new state measles tracking site is available at https://tinyurl.com/NYS-Measles-Tracker.