SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Measles cases are rising across the country and public health officials in Central New York are warning the highly contagious virus could soon spread into more populated areas, including Onondaga County.
The region is already seeing confirmed cases in Cayuga, Cortland and Madison counties. Measles was eradicated in the United States in 2000, but has returned, with more than 3,100 cases reported nationwide this year alone. There were two infant deaths in Pennsylvania last month and 51 measles cases reported across New York State.
“It’s really not surprising at all, unfortunately, because of the number of measles cases over the last several years countrywide. And if anything, I’m quite surprised that it took this long for us to experience cases in Upstate New York,” said Onondaga County Senior Medical Director Dr. James Alexander…