press release
LOWVILLE, NY — Lewis County Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated resident. The Department of Health was informed of the positive result on September 26, 2026. The resident is currently isolated until he is no longer contagious.
To protect the privacy of residents, no additional details will be released. Potential public exposures were identified and the Department of Health contacted those who may have come into contact with the resident.
Potential exposures and contact tracing
Because measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, public health officials conduct extensive contact tracing of confirmed cases. Lewis County Public Health, in close contact with local health care providers, was able to identify and directly contact all individuals known to have been exposed.
What exposed people should do
1. Check your immunity/vaccination status
You are generally considered immune to measles if you meet any of the following criteria:
• You have documented records of receiving two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• You were born before 1957.
• A healthcare professional has previously confirmed through a blood test that you are
immune.
If you are fully vaccinated, your risk of getting measles is very low.
Unvaccinated people, young infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of serious complications. If you have symptoms or someone has reported exposure to you, stay home.
2. Monitor symptoms for 21 days
The first symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:
• High fever (often rising above 101 degrees F)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Later symptoms:
• A red, blotchy rash usually appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms begin, usually starting on the face along the hairline and spreading downward to the rest of the body.
3. Post-exposure options (act quickly)
If you are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised AND have been exposed, contact your health care provider or Lewis County Public Health immediately.
• MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure, or immunoglobulin (IG) given within 6 days, can prevent or reduce the severity of measles.
4. Call Ahead Before Seeking Medical Care
DO NOT enter any clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first. If you develop symptoms or think you may have been exposed, call your primary care provider or emergency room before you arrive. Inform them that you may have been exposed to measles.
This allows healthcare facilities to take precautions, such as immediately placing you in an isolated room, to avoid spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients in the waiting room or other areas.
About measles
Measles is a viral disease that is spread by coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain alive and contagious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room. A person with measles is contagious 4 days before the rash starts and 4 days after the rash appears. Measles symptoms usually appear between 7 and 14 days after exposure to the virus. About 9 in 10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will contract it.
Risk to the public
The overall risk of measles for the general public remains low, especially for people fully vaccinated against the disease or born before 1957. However, measles is extremely contagious and anyone who is unvaccinated, pregnant, younger than 12 months, or immunocompromised is at higher risk and should discuss this with their health care provider.
For questions regarding this public notice or measles vaccination, contact Lewis County Public Health at 315-376-5453 or visit www.lewiscountypublichealth.com.
Gn Health
