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Health Department Confirms 2 New Cases On Measles In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Two new cases of measles have been confirmed in New York City, the Department of Health announced Wednesday.

The health department says the total number of confirmed cases of measles is now at 26, with 12 pediatric and 14 adult cases.

Health officials have been warning New Yorkers about a rare outbreak of measles that has been centered in northern Manhattan since February.

One of the new cases confirmed Wednesday is not connected to the outbreak and was associated with foreign travel, health officials said.

Measles is a viral infection that can spread easily through the air. Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a rash all over the body that can last five to six days.

The illness usually begins with a rash on the face and then moves down the body and may include the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said measles is not native to the U.S. It's brought into the country either by foreigners or Americans who traveled abroad.

Health officials are urging New Yorkers to ensure their families are vaccinated.

"There are steps everyone can take to stop this outbreak," Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a statement. "To prevent additional cases, I am calling on all urgent care centers, emergency departments and clinics to promptly recognize measles symptoms in their patients and take necessary precautions."

As many as one in three people with measles develop serious complications, including pneumonia, miscarriage, brain inflammation and even death.

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