Unvaccinated child tests positive for measles in Nassau County, first positive case since 2024
The Nassau County Health Department is advising people to get vaccinated against measles.
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For the first time since 2024, the Nassau County Health Department has confirmed a case of measles.
Health officials said the laboratory-confirmed test came back positive in an unvaccinated child who is under five years old.
News 12 asked the health department for more specific information, including the child's exact age, which municipality in Nassau County they live in and if they've recently traveled.
A department spokesperson declined our request for an interview and would only add that the child does not attend school or daycare.
The county said it is working with the state Health Department to investigate the case and take the necessary proactive steps to prevent further spread of the illness.
“Measles can cause serious illness, with complications that may include pneumonia, encephalitis, and often results in hospitalization and sometimes death," Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said. "We strongly encourage residents to protect themselves and their families by making sure they are up to date on important, lifesaving immunizations.”
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through contact with nasal or throat secretions, including by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of measles may include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a rash.
These symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure, but may appear as early as seven days and as late as 21 days after exposure. A person with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears to four days after.
The county Health Department is urging anyone who may have been exposed and who has any of these symptoms to contact their health care provider, local clinic or emergency department before going for care.
Getting two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles, according to the county.
"The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, prevents disease, and prevents death," Northwell Health general pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Gallub said.
People born before 1957, who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, have previously had measles or have a lab test confirming immunity, are generally considered protected, health officials said.
82.3% of Nassau County residents and 82.2% of Suffolk County residents have received at least one MMR shot by the time they were two, according to the state Health Department.
"The number that you need to have herd immunity, to prevent transmission to vulnerable populations, is 95% or greater," Gallub said.
“The New York State Department of Health encourages all New Yorkers to protect themselves by making sure they are up to date on all immunizations, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine," a New York State Health Department spokesperson told News 12. "Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to prevent measles and complications from measles. The Department continues to monitor cases in and outside of New York.”
The Suffolk County Health Department said there have been no reported cases of measles this year and the last confirmed case was reported back in March of 2025.
