Measles exposure at Winthrop hospital

People who were at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola during a two-day period last week may have been exposed to measles, the Nassau County Department of Health warned Thursday.

The hospital, as well as Nassau and state health officials, confirmed the case in a traveler from overseas and said visitors to Winthrop during two time periods may have been exposed to the highly contagious viral infection.

Further details about the adult who triggered the warning were not released.

The exposures occurred in the Adult Emergency Department last Friday between 4 p.m. and midnight and on the sixth floor of Hoag Pavilion between noon on Saturday and 9 p.m. on Monday. Officials said anyone who visited a patient or was a patient at Winthrop in those areas during those times and has not been immunized or is not immune to measles may need to seek treatment.

Treatments must be given within six days of exposure. Officials said anyone who believes they are at risk should call the hospital hotline at 516-663-2500.

Officials said those who are considered immune were born before Jan. 1, 1957, have a history of physician-diagnosed measles, a blood test confirming immunity or have received two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Measles is spread through the air from nasal or throat secretions. Symptoms are often a runny nose, cough and slight fever during the first two to four days, followed by a red, blotchy rash between the third and seventh day.

For more information, check the Nassau Health Department website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/in-dex.html or call Winthrop-University Hospital at 866-946-8476.