08/12/2026
August 11, 2026
Measles cases are increasing worldwide, including in the United States. Cases have been confirmed in multiple states, including in New York. Given this, it is important for child care providers to know what to do in the event a case occurs in your program. This letter contains important reminders about measles, reporting requirements, and immunization documentation. Please read this information carefully.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can make people very ill and lead to serious complications. This illness may cause ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), hospitalization, and even death. Measles is especially dangerous for babies, young children, and pregnant women. Measles contracted during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and low weight infants.
What You Can Do
• Symptoms usually begin between 7 to 14 days and up to 21 days after a measles infection. Symptoms of measles include high fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees), cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within three to five days after symptoms begin a rash occurs that usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. Be diligent in performing the required daily health checks of children in care and notify parents immediately if these symptoms occur.
• If a person within your program develops a fever and rash (especially following recent international travel), encourage them to contact their health care provider or local health department immediately.
• Ensure that your program obtains all required medical documentation for children, staff, and volunteers as outlined in regulation.
• Share this information with families and remind them of your program’s exclusion policy.
o Babies under 6 months are too young for the measles vaccine, but families can protect them by making sure everyone who lives in or visits their home is vaccinated.
o Encourage families to avoid people who are sick with measles and to talk to their health care provider.
Communicable Disease Reporting
Measles is a communicable disease. A communicable disease is one that is spread from one person to another through a variety of ways that include: contact with blood and bodily fluids, breathing in an airborne virus, or by being bitten by an insect. In addition to notifying the parent and Office of communicable disease, reporting of suspected or confirmed communicable diseases is mandated under the New York State Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR 2.12). For the updated list of the reportable communicable diseases mandated under New York State Sanitary Code, visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/diseases/reporting/communicable/click here.
OCFS Policy 20-01, Clarification of the Terms Serious Incident, Serious Injury, Serious Condition, Communicable Disease and When to Obtain Emergency Medical Care shares information about communicable disease reporting requirements. Please review this policy with your staff.
The OCFS-7026, Enrollment Information Packet for Legally Exempt Providers (pages 7-9) shares information about communicable disease reporting requirements for Legally Exempt Providers. Please review this information.
For more information on communicable disease reporting, call your local health department or the New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at (518) 473-4439 or, after hours, at 1 (866) 881-2809; to obtain reporting forms (DOH-389), call (518) 402-5012. In New York City, call 1 (866) NYCDOH1 (1-866-692-3641) for additional information.
Immunization Requirements
As you know, your child care program must keep documentation of immunizations the child has received to date, in accordance with New York State Public Health Law. Please review all files to ensure required immunizations are up to date and have these records readily available for review by your regulator.
Measles Resources
• For more information on measles, symptoms, prevention, and reporting requirements, click here.
• To visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, click here.
We appreciate your continued commitment to protecting the health and safety of the children and families in your care.
Sincerely,
Nora Yates
Deputy Commissioner
Division of Child Care Services
New York State Department of Health - Page Not Found
