ELLENVILLE- Local health professionals are raising the alarm as seasonal outbreaks of measles, flu, COVID-19 and pertussis (whooping cough) begin to rise in the Ellenville region. According to the lead physician in the hospital emergency department at Ellenville Regional Hospital, more patients are now coming in with serious respiratory illnesses than in recent years.

“Twenty-plus years ago we thought we had measles more or less under control,” said Dr. David Williams. “But now, with fewer people vaccinated, those risks are back.” He described flu vaccines as “very, very safe,” pointing out that millions have received them annually for decades. “There are mandates for a reason — to help prevent people from dying.”

Public-health officials encourage residents to stay up to date on immu

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