Apr 8, 2008 3:59 pm US/Eastern
Infant With Measles Traveled On Continental Flight
Passengers On April 2 Continental Flight From Tel Aviv To Newark At Risk
Health Officials Issue Advisories In NYC, Long Island
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
A case of measles that prompted both Nassau and Suffolk counties to issue health advisories has also been issued for passengers of a Continental Airlines flight earlier this month.
Officials said an 8-month-old boy confirmed to have the highly contagious illness flew on Continental Flight 85 from Tel Aviv, Israel to Newark on April 2. Anyone who was on board that flight may have been exposed and is urged to get vaccinated.
On Tuesday, Suffolk County health officials issued the same warning extended by the Nassau County health department on Monday. The victim was inside the Fortunoff store at Source Mall in Westbury last Thursday, along with other stores in Cedarhurst on Central Avenue.
Also Tuesday, New York City health officials issued a warning and advised residents traveling abroad, especially to Europe and to Israel, to make sure they are vaccinated against measles.
Specific locations where residents may have been exposed are primarily at these stores: At the Cedarhurst location: Verizon Wireless Store, Washington Mutual (WAMU) and Aries Nail Salon between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the Source: Maternity Works, Gymboree, Children's Place, Old Navy Store and the restrooms between 5:00 p.m. and midnight.
Authorities say anyone who went into the rooms where the victim was up to three hours after the victim could get measles if they are not vaccinated. The Health Department is offering immune globulin prevention injections and urging anyone who believes they are at risk to be vaccinated.
Those at the highest risk include unimmunized pregnant women, unimmunized immunocompromised individuals and infants under the age of one year who were shopping or worked at these sites during these times. Full immunity means two doses of measles vaccine.
Measles, although rare in the United States because most children get the vaccine as part of their regular childhood immunizations, is highly contagious. The virus can travel through the air and is contagious for days before symptoms start.
If you are near someone who has the virus, you can catch it even if they don't cough or sneeze on you.
Symptoms include:
· High fever
· Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
· Red spots in the mouth
· Rashes all over the body
In most cases, it can lead to pneumonia or even seizures.
If you were vaccinated as a child, you may need a booster as an adult.
The virus is usually treated at home with rest, fluids, and medications to lower fever, but it's important to see your doctor and make sure you don't develop complications.
The Nassau County Department of Health will be providing vaccine to those high-risk individuals who have been exposed. This will be provided at the Health Department building, 106 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale, South entrance to the building, between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday night, April 7 through April 9. Individuals should call the 888-844-8657 number to register and get directions.
All high risk individuals from Suffolk County should contact the health department at 853-3055. The vaccine will be provided at the Department of Health Services at 225 Rabro Drive East in Hauppauge starting Tuesday, April 8.
For more information on measles,
click here.Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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