A Long Island baby tested positive for measles as health officials issued an ominous warning Wednesday that at least 12 more people may have been exposed to the virus.
The child, who is under a year old, had been treated at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park earlier in March — and now the state Health Department fears “there was potential exposure to measles for the public” at the facility.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 12 Long Island residents at Cohen were potentially exposed, News12 reported.
“We are actively working with public health officials under established exposure protocols to ensure no further cases arise from this incident,” a Cohen Children’s Medical Center spokesperson said.
The state DOH recommended that anyone who visited Cohen’s pediatric emergency department between March 3 and 4 or saw an inpatient child within the hospital’s Medicine 3 unit from March 3 to 6 may also be at risk of exposure.
The young child was ineligible for a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine due to their young age, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott told the outlet.
He added that the county’s high vaccination rate will help prevent potential spread.
The toddler, who is recovering at home, is believed to have contracted measles while traveling.
This is the first case of measles outside of New York City so far in 2025.
The two other cases were reported in the city late February.
