The New York State Department of Health is alerting the public, providers, and local health officials about low levels of measles virus that was detected in a wastewater sample collected earlier this week from a treatment facility serving parts of the City of Oswego and surrounding areas. The Department is issuing a health advisory to area hospitals and health facilities urging providers to be aware and look for clinical signs and symptoms of measles when examining patients.
At this time, no measles cases have been identified in a person in Oswego County or the surrounding areas.
“Wastewater surveillance is an early warning system that helps us stay a step ahead of infectious diseases,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “This detection does not mean there is an outbreak. It is, however, a timely reminder to make sure you and your family are up to date on the MMR vaccine and to keep an eye out for symptoms.”
The New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center has been routinely testing for measles in wastewater samples from numerous locations around the state since October 2024. However, this recent detection in Oswego was from one of two locations tested by the national commercial company, WastewaterSCAN. The Department was notified by WastewaterSCAN, that a low level of measles virus was detected in a sample collected in the City of Oswego. Further testing on additional samples will be performed by both Wadsworth and Wastewater SCAN next week.
Wastewater surveillance is a vital early warning tool that can detect both symptomatic and asymptomatic virus cases in a community by sampling untreated sewage entering wastewater treatment plants. It serves as a reliable indicator of disease burden within an area at any given time and has been a gold standard early detection tool in New York State since 2022.
About the Detection
- A wastewater sample tested positive for measles at low levels, above the national program’s reporting threshold.
- Wastewater detections cannot be tied to individuals.
- Wastewater signals can precede clinical detection and serve as an early warning indicator.
- No clinical measles cases have been reported locally to date. However, this positive wastewater test result indicates that there was at least one individual with measles in Oswego County.
In Oswego County, the immunization rate among children under 2 years of age is approximately 87.8 percent, leaving some children and adults susceptible to infection. Because measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, even small pockets of under-immunized individuals can allow the virus to spread. About 1 in 10 people with measles require hospitalization. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles; one dose is 93 percent effective.
State Response
- Working with the Oswego County Health Department, SUNY Oswego and local health care partners to heighten awareness and monitor for potential cases.
- Alerting hospitals and clinics to be vigilant for measles symptoms and to follow infection-control protocols.
- Conducting further testing at the Wadsworth Center on additional recent wastewater samples from Oswego and surrounding areas, in addition to ongoing enhanced wastewater monitoring.
Health care providers have been alerted and are reminded to immediately report suspected measles cases to their local health department.
How Residents Can Protect Themselves
- Individuals should check their vaccination status. The MMR vaccine is highly effective and the best protection against measles.
- Know the symptoms. Measles often begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash typically appears several days later, starting on the face and spreading across the body. The rash may be accompanied by a fever that can spike above 104°F.
- Those who are sick should call ahead before visiting a clinic, urgent care, or emergency department so infection-control steps can be taken.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours. Serious complications may include hospitalization, pneumonia, miscarriage, preterm birth, swelling of the brain, and, in rare cases, death. Long-term complications may include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal brain disease that develops years after measles infection.
A person with measles can transmit the virus to others beginning four days before the rash appears and until four days afterward. The incubation period for measles is typically 7–14 days, but symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure.
Immunization Guidance
Most people born before 1957 are considered immune because they were likely exposed to the virus. Anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status should contact a health care provider or local health department.
The Department urges New Yorkers to be fully vaccinated against measles, particularly before international travel or travel to areas of the U.S. experiencing outbreaks.
Precautionary Action
This early notification is precautionary. At this time, no measles cases have been identified in Oswego County, but the Department is acting swiftly to alert providers and the public while confirmatory testing is underway.
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