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Rockland County Measles Outbreak Reaches 75 Confirmed Cases, 6 Suspected Cases

Last week, officials said they'd seen 74 confirmed cases, as well as four suspected cases

What to Know

  • The number of infected in the Rockland County measles outbreak continues to rise, with officials announcing 75 confirmed cases Sunday
  • Additionally, there are six suspected cases
  • Rockland County is not the only local area dealing with a measles outbreak, as Brooklyn has faced confirmed measles cases in recent weeks

A measles outbreak in Rockland County has now reached 75 confirmed cases, in addition to six suspected cases, officials said. 

Rockland County has been grappling with a measles outbreak in recent weeks — even asking students who are unvaccinated to not attend school.

Last week, officials said they'd seen 74 confirmed cases, as well as four suspected cases. 

Health officials announced Nov. 9 that they were expanding school exclusions from the current 70 percent to an 80 percent vaccination rate.

This means, all schools within the Village of New Square and any school with less than an 80 percent MMR vaccination rate within the area affected by the measles outbreak will be required to keep un- or under-vaccinated students home until 21 days have passes since the last confirmed measles case in Rockland County.

Some of the afflicted picked up the disease during travel to Israel, and others were infected after being exposed to a person with measles, officials said. 

Children who develop a fever and rash should be kept home from school or day care while they seek doctor's treatment.

Measles is a highly contagious disease. Young children, the immunocompromised, and non-immune pregnant women are at highest risk for severe complications. Measles is transmitted by airborne particles, droplets, and direct contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person.

Measles typically presents in adults and children as an acute viral illness characterized by fever and generalized rash. The rash usually starts on the face, proceeds down the body, and may include the palms and soles. The rash lasts several days. Infected individuals are contagious from four days before rash onset through the fourth day after rash appearance.

Rockland officials encourage everyone to be up-to-date with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to help protect them in case of any future exposure to measles in Rockland.

The Health Department held vaccine clinics in response to the growing number of cases.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Rockland County Health Department advises anyone who may have measles to contact their health care provider, local clinic, or local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

Rockland County is not the only local area dealing with a measles outbreak, as Brooklyn has faced confirmed measles cases in recent weeks as well.

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