A confirmed case of measles in Putnam County, New York, has public health officials on the move, and they're issuing a warning to anyone who might have been exposed. The Putnam County Department of Health released a statement, advising individuals who visited Arturo's Tavern, located at 878 Route 6 in Mahopac, between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. on May 28, CBS News New York reports.
The person with measles had recently returned from traveling abroad,, and while they are no longer contagious, the department is actively contacting those who may have been in the vicinity during the potential exposure window. The Health Department encourages anyone who was at Arturo's Tavern during the specified times to reach out to them at 845-808-1390—a number provided also by News 12 Hudson Valley.
"The owner and staff at Arturo's Tavern have assisted in every way possible to help identify any additional exposures. They share our priority—to ensure the health and safety of our Putnam residents and guests," Rian Rodriguez, Putnam County Health Director, explained in a statement obtained by CBS New York.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can remain in an area for up to two hours after the infected individual has left. Kathy Percacciolo, the Supervising Public Health Nurse for the county, outlined the symptoms to watch out for: "Measles symptoms may begin with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat," she elucidated, as reported by CBS New York.
Following these initial symptoms, a rash spreads from the head downward over the body. News 12 Hudson Valley notes that symptoms can emerge anywhere from seven to 14 days after exposure.
The county's health officials are reminding the public that vaccination remains the most effective defense against measles, with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine strongly recommended. Individuals who believe they may have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms are urged to contact a healthcare provider before visiting any medical facility, in order to prevent further spread. This precaution is necessary due to the highly contagious nature of the virus. Officials note that this current case is part of a series of confirmed measles incidents in the Hudson Valley area, with four additional cases previously reported in Orange County.
