Measles Outbreak Grows in Otsego County as Health Officials Expand Community Response

Measles Outbreak Grows in Otsego County as Health Officials Expand Community Response

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST

OTSEGO COUNTY

Otsego County health officials say the measles outbreak that began earlier this fall continues to widen, with 21 confirmed cases and more expected in the coming weeks. Public Health Director Heidi Bond told AllOtsego the department is intensifying its outreach, focusing on education, vaccination and close monitoring of rural communities where the virus has taken hold.

Bond confirmed that all cases identified so far have occurred in “under‑immunized rural communities not across the broader county.” No common exposure site has been identified, and investigators have not found a single event or location linking the cases.

Bond said the health department has been actively entering affected communities to provide information on measles symptoms, what residents should do if they suspect infection and how to access testing. Outreach teams are also offering measles, mumps, rubella vaccinations, which remain the strongest protection against measles transmission.

“We have been going out into the community providing education on signs and symptoms of measles, what to do if ...