The Nassau County Department of Health has warned that there has been an outbreak of measles which may have resulted in the exposure of Garden City residents to the disease.

According to the Health Department, the patient is a 12 month old child who resides in Nassau County. The child recently traveled internationally to a location with known measles. Residents may have been exposed to this individual with measles if they visited the following locations on the dates and times listed below:

Island Garden Basketball, 45 Cherry Valley Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552

Exposure: Thursday, January 21 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Garden City Pediatrics, 975 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 (between 9th & 10th Streets, on the east side of Franklin Ave.)

Exposure: Saturday, January 23 from 8:25 am to 12:15 pm; Monday, January 25 from 8:45 am to 12:45 pm and January 26 from 8:45 am to 2:15 pm.

The Health Department has notified all emergency rooms, the Nassau County Medical Society and the Nassau County Pediatric Society that an individual with measles has been diagnosed in Nassau County.

In its efforts to prevent the spread of illness, Nassau County Department of Health is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to call their health care providers or emergency rooms before going for care so that others are not exposed to the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus and is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages. In the first stage, which lasts two to four days, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever. The eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever gradually rises each day, often peaking as high as 103° to 105°F. Small bluish white spots surrounded by a reddish area may also appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a red blotchy rash lasting five to six days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet. The rash fades in the same order that it appeared, from head to extremities. Symptoms of measles usually appear in 10 to 12 days but can occur as late as 18 days after exposure. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age.

For additional information about measles, visit the Health Department website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html or call us at 516.227.9697.