Private MD News

Measles warning in New York State

Category: General Health

A student at a private school in New Patz, New York, has been diagnosed with measles, a viral lung infection sometimes detected through lab tests.

The Dutchess County Department of Health states that, if any time since September 10, an individual has been present at the Mountain Laurel Waldorf school facilities, he or she should contact a physician to make sure his or her vaccinations are current.

"While most of the population is immune, about 97 percent of Dutchess County residents, these exposures place non-immune individuals at risk for becoming infected," said Michael C. Caldwell, Dutchess County Commissioner of Health. "Of greatest concern are infants less than 12 months of age, pregnant women and persons who have immunocompromising conditions."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a rarity for lab tests for measles - also called rubeola - to come up positive in nations with enough access to vaccines. Nonetheless, the agency states that 164,000 people globally succumb to the infection each year, and at least 82,000 of those are residents of India. As far as symptoms, measles is similar to the flu, except for its ability to cause a substantial rash.