Measles Outbreak: Rockland Hits 199 Cases

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The number of confirmed cases in Rockland County's measles outbreak has risen to 199 as of April 22. That's an increase of 13 in the past week.

Plus, there are many more that are unreported, Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Ruppert said.

The state Appellate Court last week upheld Judge Thorsen’s temporary restraining order over Rockland's state of emergency declaration. It was due to expire this week anyway.

County officials sad they were surprised in light of a different judge's decision upholding New York City's emergency order over its measles epidemic.

"We will keep moving forward with the County’s cases before Judge Thorsen, where we have filed motions to dismiss," said County Attorney Thomas Humbach. "We also will assist the Commissioner of Health with enforcing her new orders, which include a new Communicable Disease & Exposure Exclusion Order, requiring those diagnosed with or exposed to the measles to be excluded from indoor and outdoor places of public assembly, and a new school exclusion order, requiring schools to exclude unvaccinated students who have no medical or religious exemptions on file.”

Unvaccinated children continue to be the most vulnerable population — totalling four out of five people who have been infected with the virus since the outbreak started in October.

Vaccination rates for confirmed measles cases in Rockland County as of April 18:

• 80.8% have had 0 MMRs
• 5.2% have had 1 MMR
• 3.1% have had 2 MMRs
• 10.9% unknown status

Age groups for the confirmed measles cases in Rockland County as of April 18:

• Less than 1 year old: 14.0%
• 1-3 years: 28.0%
• 4-6 years: 15.0%
• 7-18 years: 26.9%
• 19+ years: 16.1%

Officials have said they are worried that the outbreak will spread even further during Passover. The outbreak in Rockland, as in Brooklyn and Queens, is centered in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.

Rockland County is tracking every case and all exposed or infected people must stay out of indoor and outdoor public places.

SEE:

• Measles Outbreak: Rockland Nears 200 Cases
  
• 'Anti-Vaxxer Propaganda' To Blame For Measles Outbreak
  
• Measles Outbreak: Uncooperative Rocklanders Lead To More Cases
• Families In Suit Send Unvaccinated Schoolchildren Back To Class
• Measles Outbreak Is 2nd Biggest Since U.S. Eradicated Virus: CDC