ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Five cases of measles have been confirmed within a Mennonite community in Wyoming County.
The New York and Wyoming County health departments said in a statement that they are trying to determine whether more people were exposed.
The departments are advising residents with symptoms consistent with measles to contact the county health department or their health care provider.
According to the statement, Wyoming County health officials are "actively engaging the Mennonite community to discuss the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles."
Regional health providers have been notified of the cases and are being asked to report all suspected cases of measles to their local health department.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It usually starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes before producing tiny white spots inside the mouth and a characteristic rash on the skin, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
The health departments said the best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.
This year, the state approved a measure to remove the religious exemption for vaccinations.