Case of measles reported in Putnam; Public urged to contact health department if exposed
One case of measles has been confirmed in Putnam County, but officials are advising residents who visited a local restaurant to contact the health department.
Anyone who visited Arturo’s Tavern at 878 Route 6 in Mahopac, between 6 and 10pm on Wednesday, May 28, is advised to call the Putnam County Health Department at 845-808-1390 and ask to speak with a nurse.
“Fortunately, the positive individual was only in one local establishment while considered contagious,” the Putnam County Health Department said in a statement. Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. “Measles is not a food-borne illness although the virus can live for up to two hours in airspace after an infected person leaves the area.”
“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.”
“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.”
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