Health officials warn NYC Italian eatery patrons of possible exposure to measles by infected diner
Health officials are warning New Yorkers who dined at a Manhattan Italian restaurant last month that they may have been exposed to measles after a customer tested positive for the highly infectious virus.
An unvaccinated individual visited Norma’s Restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on April 25, according to the restaurant and CBS New York.
“An individual who later tested positive for measles visited Norma Hell’s Kitchen,” the restaurant posted to social media on Tuesday. “Guests present during this time may have had a possible exposure.”
The New York City Department of Health is responding to the measles case through its “robust disease surveillance and reporting system,” to identify and notify people who may have been exposed, a spokesperson told CBS.
“The risk to the general public is low due to high vaccination coverage among New Yorkers, and there have been no reports of secondary cases. This is a reminder of the importance of vaccination, which is the best protection against measles,” the spokesperson said.
The case marks the fifth confirmed measles case in the Big Apple so far this year, according to public health data.
The airborne virus can spread when someone coughs or sneezes – and lingers in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.
If one person has measles, up to 90% of people around them will also get it if they are unvaccinated or otherwise not immune, according to the New York City Department of Health.
Health officials have urged the use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as individual protection against the virus and to promote herd immunity.
You are considered vaccinated against measles if you have received 2 valid doses of MMR vaccine, or other live, measles-containing vaccine.
Norma said there is no known “ongoing risk” at the restaurant.
The New York City DOH did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
