Measles Spreads Across New York Counties

New York is dealing with a growing measles outbreak. The governor declared a statewide emergency earlier this week as cases keep rising. State data show this is the 102nd case recorded in New York this year.

In Oswego County a second person has tested positive. This person lives with the first case and is already recovering. Both individuals never received the vaccine.

Health officials say the risk to the general public stays low because the two infections are linked. Still, measles spreads easily through coughs and sneezes. The virus can travel quickly in communities with low vaccination rates.

Other counties are also seeing numbers climb. Lewis County reports eleven cases, all among unvaccinated people. Madison, Cortland and Cayuga have a few cases each. Onondaga has none yet, but its medical director warns the virus will arrive soon. The Onondaga medical director said it is only a matter of time before the disease reaches the county.