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Public may have been exposed to measles at 3 places in Suffolk County

Published  April 26, 2019 5:51pm EDT
Long Island
FOX 5 New York

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (FOX 5 NY) - Health officials are urging Long Islanders to remain vigilant after confirming the first adult case of measles on Suffolk County's East End.

"We know how dangerous and contagious measles can be, especially in children or the elderly, and those who are otherwise sick and immunities are lowered," County Executive Steve Bellone said.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said the infected person, who officials would not identify, was visiting Long Island from abroad and may have exposed others to the disease at a BNB Bank branch in Hampton Bays.

That individual, while infectious, also made trips to King Kullen in the same shopping center and a CVS in Southampton, causing worry among people who live in the area.

Dr. James Tomarken, the county's health commissioner, said this is an isolated case that appears to not be related to other measles outbreaks in New York. Nonetheless, he advises people to make sure they've been vaccinated or to do so immediately—especially if they visited the following locations at these times on Saturday, April 20:

  • BNB Bank, 48 E. Montauk Highway, 12:15–1 p.m.
  • King Kullen, 52 Montauk Highway, 2:30–5 p.m.
  • CVS, 111 S. Main Street, 4:45–7 p.m.

Bellone announced his support for new legislation introduced by state Sen. David Carlucci that would create a vaccination awareness campaign.