OSWEGO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– The New York State Department of Health has issued an alert after traces of the measles virus were detected in wastewater from a treatment plant serving Oswego and nearby areas.

Wastewater surveillance is being used as an early warning system to detect viral infections, including measles, before symptoms appear in the population. This method can identify viruses even when individuals are asymptomatic, as traces of the virus show up in sewage.

“We do wastewater testing for a number of different things; measles is one of them, Covid, and other different viral infections as well,” said Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. “When you think about why we do wastewater testing for measles, though, it’s an early warning system.”

In Oswego County, 87.8% of children under age 2 are vaccinated against measles, but this still leaves some people at risk. Dr. McDonald emphasized the importance of vaccination, noting that measles is a significant disease with about one in ten cases resulting in hospitalization.

Measles cases continue to be reported across the United States, with outbreaks in states such as Texas and New Mexico, as well as in nearby Canada. Health officials are urging caution and recommending vaccination as the best defense against the disease.

McDonald expressed concern about misinformation regarding immunizations.

“One of the things I’m concerned about, not just in New York but nationally, is that there’s really a disconnect between what people are hearing about immunizations when people aren’t getting information from experts,” McDonald said.

He advised residents to rely on their doctors for accurate information. The state will continue testing in the coming days, and officials are advising residents to check their vaccination records and ensure they are up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

“It’s the best protection out there,” McDonald said.