Some are worried the Hudson Valley is in for another measles outbreak after a resident tested positive for measles. The resident exposed a number of local sites, including a church.

On Tuesday, the Putnam County Department of Health confirmed a positive case of measles. The patient has been isolated to avoid spreading the disease further, officials say.

“Before this person was isolated, there may have been additional exposures. We are working with local partners to identify all possible contacts. If you are unsure if you or your children are protected from measles, reach out to your physician or one of our communicable disease nurses, Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat said.

Health officials identified several possible exposure sites including, the Route 52 Laundromat, the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God church, the following the service a the church, the Annual Feast Day Celebration, and also at the Putnam Hospital Center Emergency Department.

Anyone in the laundromat at 184 Route 52 in Carmel on Saturday, September 21, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. who develops symptoms before Saturday, October 12, should call the PCDOH as soon as possible to understand their possible risk and what action to take.

Anyone who attended church service at the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God at 1050 Route 6 in Mahopac on Sunday, September 22, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., or the celebration afterwards from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and develops symptoms before Sunday, October 13, should also call the health department as soon as possible.

Anyone in the Putnam Hospital Center Emergency Department at 670 Stoneleigh Ave in Carmel on Saturday, September 28, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. who has not been contacted by the PDCOH, should also call the health department as soon as possible.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can be spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. In rare cases, it can be deadly.

Last October, a measles outbreak started in Rockland County, which ended last month with 312 confirmed cases.

In October 2018, it was reported an international traveler with measles visited multiple locations in Rockland and Westchester counties. Among the locations infected with measles was the Costco in Nanuet and Westchester Medical Center.

The Rockland County measles outbreak spread into Orange County in November. Health officials in Orange County later warned that a taxi was exposed to measles. 

Measles later spread to Sullivan County.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People first develop a fever, then often a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by an appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or a runny nose. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as seven days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

Spot a typo? Let us know.

More From WEOK