Broome County Health Officials Sound Measles Alarm as Cases Climb Nearby

Broome County has no confirmed measles cases right now, but if you're not sure when you last checked your MMR vaccination status, county health officials say now is the time.

The Broome County Health Department (BCHD) is urging residents to review their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination status and take precautions to help prevent the spread of measles. There are currently no confirmed cases of measles in Broome County, though cases have been reported in surrounding counties, according to an Aug. 13 release from the Broome County Health Department, issued by Olivia Catalano, the department's director of public health.

Measles Symptoms to Watch For

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads easily from person to person. If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people close to them who aren't immune will also become infected, according to the CDC's overview of measles. If you're exposed, symptoms typically begin 7 to 14 days later and may include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Two to three days after those symptoms begin, you may develop tiny white spots called Koplik spots inside your mouth. The measles rash follows 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms, usually starting on the face before spreading down the rest of the body.

Some people go on to develop complications like diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia or encephalitis and need to be hospitalized. A measles infection can also reset your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off other infections afterward.

What to Do If You Suspect Measles Exposure

Measles can look like other common illnesses, so it's important to recognize the symptoms and take the right precautions. If you develop symptoms and know you were exposed to measles, contact your local health department or health care provider before you go to a health care facility. That call helps prevent further exposures and potential spread.

Depending on your vaccination status and evidence of immunity, you may be advised to monitor yourself for symptoms and follow public health guidance on quarantining for 21 days after exposure.

Check Your MMR Vaccine Immunity Status

You're likely immune due to prior exposure if you were born before 1957. If you have written documentation of two valid doses of the MMR vaccine, you're considered to have immunity against measles. If you don't have evidence of immunity and you've been exposed, getting the MMR vaccine within 72 hours may still offer you some protection.

Measles Cases Rising Across New York and the US

Broome County's reminder comes as measles activity continues to climb well beyond the county line. As of Aug. 6, more than 2,400 confirmed measles cases had been reported across 47 states and jurisdictions in 2026, including New York State, according to the CDC's measles case tracker.

Part of what worries health officials is how easily the virus travels. One person infected with measles can pass it to as many as 18 other people who aren't immune, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room, according to the World Health Organization.

An infection can also leave a lasting mark on your immune system beyond the illness itself. Measles can weaken your body's memory of other diseases you've already fought off, a phenomenon researchers call "immune amnesia," according to a measles overview published on the National Library of Medicine's StatPearls database.

How to Get the MMR Vaccine in Broome County

If you've never been vaccinated for MMR or you're not sure of your status, check with your health care provider about getting vaccinated. It has been in use for more than 50 years and remains the best protection available against measles, according to the CDC's measles vaccine guidance.

Get our free mobile app

Children should get their first dose between 12 and 15 months old and their second between ages 4 and 6. If you or your child is missing a dose, it's not too late to catch up. You can reach the Broome County Health Department at 607-778-3938, or visit the New York State Department of Health or the CDC for more information on measles and the MMR vaccine.