Hudson Valley doctors warn residents to make sure they're vaccinated against measles
The New York State Department of Health issued an advisory, reminding New Yorkers to get vaccinated if they're not already.
More Stories
Concerns are growing over an increase of measles cases in the U.S. and Canada.
"We haven't seen so many outbreaks in a very long time," says Marina Keller, an expert in infectious diseases at Westchester Medical Center.
It comes as an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas died from measles, the first reported U.S. death since 2015.
The New York State Department of Health issued an advisory, reminding New Yorkers to get vaccinated if they're not already.
"It's very contagious, measles, and you want to get a handle on it," says Dr. Donald Roland, at Urgent Care of New York.
Cases have already been confirmed in Texas, New Mexico and Canada.
While no cases have been reported in the Hudson Valley, there have been two cases in New York City so far this year.
"The majority of those cases have been unvaccinated people," says Roland. "Air travel is so common these days so there has to be concern, enough concern that bulletin things like this have been issued to everyone in New York State."
Some doctors say while measles is always a concern, there's no need to sound the alarm yet. They're emphasizing the importance of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and get their children vaccinated with two doses.
"We do have to keep an eye on the headlines. We do have to make sure we get vaccinated because that's the best way of preventing the infection," says Keller.
According to state health officials, vaccination rates statewide continue to fall below the level that is necessary to protect communities.
