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MEASLES PREVALENT IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES
(ITHACA, NY, November 06, 2026) – Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community that measles cases are continuing to be prevalent in our neighboring counties, including Cayuga, Cortland, Tioga and Seneca Counties. Measles is a highly contagious virus and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. Being unvaccinated increases risks for severe complications, hospitalization and death. Due to this continued measles outbreak status, TCWH is now advising families to receive an early MMR vaccine dose for infants at age 6 months – 11 months.
TCWH Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “Measles is a terrible virus with a very high infection rate in unvaccinated populations. We are advising all families to vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine at age 6 months up to 11 months. This is considered “dose zero”, and the regular two-dose series at 12 months and 4 years will follow. The second dose in the two-dose series can be given 4 weeks after the first dose instead of waiting until age 4 if that is desired. Prior to 6 months of age, infants generally have immune protection from maternal antibodies, if the mother was vaccinated.”
Dr. Klepack continued, “Due to the continued prevalence of measles surrounding Tompkins County, and the opportunity for unknown exposure to occur as people travel into Tompkins to work or visit, we must take appropriate precautions. Besides the risk of an unvaccinated infant encountering someone contagious with measles in their daily life, there is a risk of exposure in urgent and emergency care facilities, especially with respiratory illness season well underway.”
TCWH Commissioner Jennie Sutcliffe stated, “While there are still no cases of measles in Tompkins County residents, we want the community to know that we are actively monitoring the emerging situation, working in close coordination with NYS Department of Health, the local health departments of our neighboring counties, and with our healthcare system. With measles cases so closely surrounding our county, we feel it is important to update our vaccination recommendations accordingly. We will continue to keep the community informed about the prevalence of measles in our region and urge anyone who is not vaccinated to talk with their healthcare provider or call our office for more information.”
Contact your child’s healthcare provider to schedule vaccination. If your child uses Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or is uninsured, contact our office to schedule vaccination at our Immunization Clinic: 607-274-6604.
Steps to take if exposed
The measles virus is easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by direct contact with a contaminated surface. Symptoms can take from 7 days up to 21 days from exposure to occur. Measles can often be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses, as symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny or congested nose, sore throat and watery eyes. A red and blotchy rash may occur within 3-5 days following the start of cold-like symptoms, with the rash usually appearing on the face first. The rash may spread down the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet, and spots may join together as they spread. When the rash appears, fever temperatures may rise above 104° Fahrenheit.
Complications from measles are serious and include very high fever, ear infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Risks also include permanent loss of hearing, vision, and the development of learning disabilities. There is no cure for measles, only treatment for symptom relief.
If you suspect you were exposed to measles, contact our Division of Community Health at 607-274-6604. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for measles may be given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent infection or lessen the severity of the disease in people who do not have immunity and were exposed to the virus.
If you develop symptoms, please call your healthcare provider or contact our office. Let the provider or answering service know that you have been exposed to measles or what symptoms you are experiencing. Please do not go to the Emergency Room, Urgent Care, or a doctor’s office without first calling to avoid potentially exposing other people to measles. Because measles can spread quickly and easily through the air, it is very important to seek advice over the phone first to reduce risk of further spreading the virus. This also gives healthcare facilities an opportunity to take safety measures, such as placing you in an isolated room immediately, to prevent spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients in the waiting room or other areas.
Vaccination strongly recommended
Those most at risk of infection include unvaccinated infants, children or adults (excluding those who were born before 1957, who are considered immune), pregnant persons, and those with weakened immune systems. TCWH urges everyone to be vaccinated against measles, as soon as they are 6 months of age. A complete vaccination (two-dose series of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine) is safe and effective at preventing infection.
TCWH advises all who have not been vaccinated against measles or have had only one dose to contact their healthcare provider or our office to get up to date with their vaccinations. Call our office at 607-274-6604 or visit our website to learn more about Whole Health’s Community Health Division and Immunization Clinics: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/immunizations
For up-to-date information on measles activity in NY, broken down by county, go to NYSDOH’s Measles Dashboard: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/data.htm
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