Measles in New York City
Is measles going around in New York City?
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. It spreads through the air, can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, and infects about nine out of ten unvaccinated people who are exposed.
New York City had a large measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019, and the United States has seen renewed outbreaks recently as vaccination rates have slipped in some communities. That is why even a handful of NYC cases makes the news.
Know the signs
Measles symptoms
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
- A rash that starts at the hairline and face and spreads downward, usually three to five days after the first symptoms
How it spreads
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. People are contagious from about four days before the rash appears until four days after. Complications include ear infections, pneumonia and, rarely, brain swelling.
The local picture
Measles in the five boroughs
NYC Health publishes measles case counts and exposure locations during outbreaks; there is no routine weekly feed for HealthNarc to import between outbreaks, so the live figure on this page reflects community reports only. When official counts are published, this page and the map will pick them up.
If you think you or your child has measles, call ahead before going to a clinic or emergency room so staff can prevent exposing other patients.
What to do
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles. Check your immunization records if you are unsure, and get vaccinated if you are not protected, especially before international travel.
Where the data comes from
Sources for Measles data
The live figure above is the citywide count from the official feed HealthNarc imports (NYC Health or the CDC’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System) for the latest four published weeks, compared with the four weeks before. Where no official feed exists, it falls back to community reports from the last 28 days. For exposure notices and guidance, use these sources:
In the news
Measles headlines
Headlines load when you open this page.
Headlines link to their publishers. HealthNarc does not verify or endorse outside reporting.
Common questions
Measles in NYC: questions people ask
- Am I protected against measles?
- Two documented doses of MMR, a lab test showing immunity, or a documented past infection all count as protection. People born before 1957 are generally considered immune. If you cannot find records, a provider can order a blood test or simply give another dose.
- What should I do if I was at an exposure site listed by NYC Health?
- Check whether you are immune. If you are not, contact a healthcare provider right away; vaccination within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin within six days can prevent or soften the illness.
- Can vaccinated people still get measles?
- Rarely. About three in a hundred fully vaccinated people can still get infected if exposed, and they usually have a milder illness and are less likely to spread it.
Get notified when illness activity increases in your area.
Create an account now and we'll use your email for future updates about what's spreading near you.
Create an account