The New York State Department of Health has issued an advisory after low levels of the measles virus were found in a wastewater sample from a treatment facility serving parts of the City of Oswego and surrounding areas. No clinical cases of measles have been identified in Oswego County or nearby regions at this time.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald stated, “Wastewater surveillance is an early warning system that helps us stay a step ahead of infectious diseases. 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.”
Routine testing for measles in wastewater samples has been ongoing across New York since October 2024 by the Department’s Wadsworth Center. The recent detection in Oswego was made by WastewaterSCAN, a national commercial company, which notified the department about the finding. Further testing will be conducted next week by both Wadsworth and WastewaterSCAN.
Wastewater surveillance allows health officials to detect viruses circulating in communities before clinical cases appear, including both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. This approach has been used as a standard early detection method in New York State since 2022.
In Oswego County, about 87.8 percent of children under two years old are vaccinated against measles, leaving some residents vulnerable to infection. Measles is highly contagious; small groups of unvaccinated people can enable its spread. Approximately one in ten individuals with measles require hospitalization. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles; one dose provides 93 percent protection.
Healthcare providers have been alerted and reminded to report any suspected cases immediately to local health departments.
Measles spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain active in the air for up to two hours. Serious complications may include pneumonia, miscarriage, preterm birth, swelling of the brain, and rarely death. Long-term risks include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal brain disease that can develop years after infection.
Individuals with measles can transmit it from four days before until four days after developing a rash. Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days.
Most people born before 1957 are considered immune due to likely prior exposure. Those unsure about their vaccination status should contact healthcare providers or local health departments.
The department encourages all New Yorkers to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles, especially before traveling internationally or to U.S. areas experiencing outbreaks.
Officials emphasize that this notification is precautionary while confirmatory testing continues and urge vigilance among healthcare providers and residents.
