BREWSTER, NY—The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) has been notified of a positive case of measles. The individual is no longer contagious. However, an investigation is underway to locate anyone who may have encountered the person while contagious to avoid further spread of the illness. Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. In rare cases it can be deadly.

 “Currently this is a single case of measles,” reassured Health Director Rian Rodriguez, “and the individual is known to have contracted the illness while abroad. Please support the efforts of the health department as we work with partners to help others who may have been exposed locally, so that we can reduce the risk of measles spreading.”

An infected person can spread measles from four days before to four days after the rash appears. Fortunately, the positive individual was only in one local establishment while considered contagious. Measles is not a foodborne illness although the virus can live for up to two hours in airspace after an infected person leaves the area. Anyone who visited Arturo’s Tavern at 878 Route 6 in Mahopac, between 6 and 10pm on Wednesday, May 28, should call the health department at 845-808-1390 and ask to speak with a nurse. A communicable disease nurse can help to determine exposure risk and suggest what action, if any, to take.

“Measles symptoms may begin with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat,” said Supervising Public Health Nurse Kathy Percacciolo, BSN, RN. “It is followed by a rash that spreads from the head downward over the body. If anyone with a potential exposure has these symptoms, call your doctor or the emergency room before you enter the building so that precautions can be taken to prevent spread in the heath care facility.

Rian Rodriguez was quick to add a note of thanks to Arturo’s Tavern, saying “The owner and staff at Arturo’s Tavern have assisted in every way possible to help identify any additional exposures. They share our priority—to ensure the health and safety of our Putnam residents and guests.”

The best protection from measles is to be vaccinated with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. Individuals born before 1957, anyone who has had measles, or those who have proof of receiving two MMR vaccines, are less likely to become sick. 

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.