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Measles Outbreak in Westchester Traced to Target Grocery Store in New City

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 17:12 GMT by Patch

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Measles Exposure Investigation Traces Cases to Target Grocery Store in New City

In a recent update to a growing measles outbreak in Westchester County, health officials have identified the Target grocery store in New City as one of two potential exposure sites where several infected residents may have contracted the disease. The finding, announced by the Westchester County Health Department (WCHD), underscores the persistent threat posed by measles in communities with pockets of under‑vaccination and highlights the importance of rapid, targeted public‑health responses.

1. The Outbreak in Context

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine. A single infected person can expose up to 18–18.5 other people in a fully susceptible population. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that measles outbreaks will likely return until high vaccination coverage—at least 95 % of the population—can be achieved nationwide.

Westchester County has already reported 32 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak, with 12 of those cases confirmed in the last two weeks. According to the WCHD’s epidemiology team, the majority of affected individuals are children under 15 years old who were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. The CDC’s official measles webpage lists the MMR vaccine as the standard prevention method, noting that two doses are required for optimal protection.

The WCHD’s most recent investigation has identified two venues that may have played a pivotal role in spreading the virus. The first, as highlighted in the Patch article, is the Target grocery store in New City. The second location—a smaller local grocery chain—has not yet been named in detail in the public release but is under scrutiny as a possible source.

2. Target Grocery Store: An Unexpected Exposure Site

The Target location in New City is a standard 1‑floor “super‑center” that offers groceries, apparel, household goods, and a pharmacy under one roof. While it is not unusual for public‑health authorities to investigate retail venues, the identification of a grocery store—rather than a school or daycare—as a measles exposure site is noteworthy.

Health officials say that the suspected exposure window was on August 26, 2023, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when a 15‑year‑old boy—later identified as a confirmed case—visited the store. The child was not up to date on his MMR vaccination and reportedly spent time in the food‑court area of the store, where he interacted with several other shoppers. Because of the high viral load that measles patients can carry for up to four days before and after the appearance of a rash, the child’s visit could have exposed others even though no rash was present at the time.

The WCHD has contacted Target’s corporate headquarters and requested that the New City store conduct a thorough cleaning of all common areas, especially the food‑court. The store is also being asked to display vaccination reminders on its walls and to provide informational flyers about measles at the point of sale, as recommended by the CDC.

While the store has not yet released a statement, a spokesperson indicated that the management team is cooperating with the investigation and that they are “committed to the health and safety of their customers.”

3. The Second Possible Exposure Site

The article also mentions a second potential location—a smaller grocery store that is part of a local chain that operates in the southeastern part of Westchester. The exact name and address of the shop have not yet been disclosed to the public. Epidemiologists are still working to determine whether the exposure there was a single event (for example, a shopper who was symptomatic) or if it involved a cluster of cases.

Because the second site could potentially account for a significant portion of the outbreak’s spread, the WCHD is urging anyone who shopped at that store in the last month to monitor for measles symptoms. The CDC’s symptom checker lists the typical signs of measles as a high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, followed by a characteristic rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.

4. Public Health Measures and Recommendations

In response to the emerging outbreak, the WCHD has enacted several measures:

• Contact Tracing: The department has begun a thorough contact‑tracing effort to identify individuals who were in close proximity to confirmed cases, particularly those who may have been present at the Target store during the exposure window. Contacts will be asked to receive the MMR vaccine if they have not had two doses.

• Vaccination Clinics: The department is setting up mobile vaccination clinics at various community centers, schools, and churches to ensure easy access to the MMR vaccine. The CDC’s website notes that MMR is a live, attenuated vaccine and that it should be administered at ages 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years.

• Public Awareness Campaign: Through local media and social‑media platforms, officials are urging parents and caregivers to verify that all children are fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends that parents who are unsure of their child’s vaccination history seek a “vaccination history review” at their pediatrician’s office.

• Enhanced Surveillance: The WCHD has partnered with the New York State Department of Health’s measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) surveillance program to improve case reporting and to monitor for additional exposure sites.

5. Lessons Learned and Broader Implications

The identification of a grocery store as a measles exposure site serves as a stark reminder that measles can spread in any setting where people gather—schools, workplaces, grocery aisles, or even at a fast‑food drive‑through. The CDC has repeatedly stressed that a single missed vaccination dose can put an entire community at risk. For many parents, the convenience of “two doses” has become a routine public‑health obligation rather than a choice.

The Westchester outbreak underscores how highly connected communities—particularly those with significant travel between residential and commercial zones—can experience rapid disease spread. It also highlights the role of retailers in public‑health efforts, whether through displaying vaccination reminders or providing access to information.

6. Resources for Residents

• Westchester County Health Department: The WCHD’s website offers a “Measles Tracker” and a list of vaccination clinic locations. Residents can call the department’s toll‑free line for more information.

• New York State Department of Health: The state’s health department hosts a measles outbreak page with guidelines for healthcare providers and the public.

• CDC Measles Resources: The CDC’s measles page (https://www.cdc.gov/measles/) provides an MMR vaccine schedule, a symptom checker, and a travel health guide for measles.

• Vaccination Clinics: A list of current mobile and fixed‑site vaccination clinics, along with operating hours, can be found on the WCHD’s website under “Immunization Resources.”

7. Conclusion

The WCHD’s identification of the Target grocery store in New City as one of two potential measles exposure sites represents a significant step toward curbing the current outbreak. By focusing on contact tracing, rapid vaccination, and public education, Westchester County officials aim to halt the spread of measles and protect vulnerable populations—especially children who are not yet fully vaccinated. The outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high immunization rates and the need for vigilance in everyday public spaces. For residents of Westchester County and surrounding areas, staying informed and ensuring that all household members have received two doses of the MMR vaccine remain the most effective defense against measles.