What to know after person with measles visits Nassau medical offices

Investigators from the New York State and Nassau County Health Departments are trying to determine if a resident with measles who was at various medical offices on Oct. 8 spread the highly contagious virus to anyone else on Long Island.

On Friday, Nassau health officials announced the second confirmed case of measles in the county this year. The case involves an unvaccinated adult who visited multiple buildings across several parts of the county.

And infectious disease experts noted the virus can remain in places — such as elevators — for up to two hours after the carrier is gone.

Here are questions and answers about the investigation and who might be at risk of contracting the serious illness.

Who tested positive for measles?

Health officials said the person, who lives in Nassau County, is an adult over the age of 50 and that he or she was not vaccinated against measles at the time of the exposure earlier this month.

They did not specify whether the individual is a man or a woman or if they were working when they visited buildings in Great Neck, New Hyde Park and Woodbury. They were shown to be at the four locations from 8:39 a.m. to 6:11 p.m. on Oct. 8.

Where and what are the buildings where the person could have exposed other people to measles?

The earliest possible exposure of the day happened between 8:39 and 12:14 p.m. at 1991 Marcus Ave. in New Hyde Park. That three-story, 155,000-square-foot building houses offices and medical suites, including NYU Langone Ambulatory Care, Northwell Labs and physician partners and others.

The person was then at a medical building at 173 Froelich Farm Blvd. in Woodbury between 12:39 and 2:44 p.m. The building includes head and neck surgery doctors from NYU Langone. Between 3:03 p.m. and 5:14 p.m., the person was at a medical building at 825 Northern Blvd. in Great Neck. The building has several orthopedic doctors, including some from Northwell Health. The final location was 611 Northern Blvd. in Great Neck, where Northwell has orthopedic services and imaging.

Both Northwell Health and NYU Langone told Newsday in statements they were cooperating with the investigation.

Who is at most risk?

Anyone who was in the hallways, lobbies or common areas of these building during this time is likely to have been exposed.

"Measles is very contagious," said Dr. Kerry Frommer Fierstein, a pediatrician and CEO of Allied Physicians Group. "You don't have to be in the same room with somebody because it will hang around for two hours after someone leaves."

The virus is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

"The bad news is if you are not vaccinated and you are exposed, the transmission rate is high. But the good news is vaccinations are very effective, so if you have had your two doses, you are probably fine," she said.

Babies, who do not receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine until they are 12 months old, could be more at risk. That first dose is 93% effective at preventing measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Are adults who got their vaccines many years ago still protected?

People born before 1957 are considered immune, but healthcare workers in that age group should consider vaccination if they don't have laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease, the CDC said.

Some children who were vaccinated between 1963 and 1967 received a less effective version of the vaccine. People in that age group should speak with their doctors to see if they should have a test to check immunity and receive another dose.