More Public Measles Exposure In Rockland

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — On the third day of the county's State of Emergency banning unvaccinated children from public places, officials announced the measles count had risen. Plus, they said at a morning press conference, they had tracked the movements of contagious people and generated a new list of public places where people were exposed to the virus.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth; 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus become infected. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to two hours after that person is gone. You can catch measles from an infected person before they have a measles rash.

Cancer patients, babies and people with immune system problems are particularly vulnerable.

Anyone who visited the following locations or used the following taxis at these times may have been exposed to measles:

• Uber that initially traveled to Monsey Hub shopping plaza in Monsey, NY on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 1:20pm to 1:30pm with a risk of exposure until 3:30pm.
• Nyack Taxi that initially traveled from Monsey Hub shopping plaza in Monsey, NY 10952 on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 2:20pm to 3:00pm with a risk of exposure until 5:00pm.
• Rockland Kosher Supermarket, located at 27 Orchard St, Monsey, NY 10952 on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.
• La Familia Taxi that initially traveled from Rockland Kosher Supermarket, located at 27 Orchard St, Monsey, NY 10952 on Sunday March 24, 2019 between 3:00pm to 3:05pm with a risk of exposure until 5:05 pm.

These times reflect the period that the infected individuals were in these areas and a two-hour period after they left the areas, because the virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

If you were present at these locations during these times, especially if you are in any of the following high-risk groups, contact your health care provider by phone right away (call before going for care):

• Pregnant
• A child under 6 months of age
• Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (when your body can't fight disease)
• Have not been vaccinated against the measles
• Were born before 1957 and are immunosuppressed

Due to Rockland's small geographic size, exposure to the measles may occur anywhere in in the county, even though the outbreak has been centered in Monsey, New Square and Spring Valley.

As of March 29, there are 157 confirmed reported cases of measles in the county, where the State of Emergency is in effect for 27 more days. But county police aren't targeting people for arrest.

"The goal here is to get as many people immunized as possible. We want people to enjoy the upcoming holy days, both Christian and Jewish faiths," said County Executive Ed Day at the press conference. "There have been no directed patrols, there have been no arrests. it is not it will not be the purpose of what we're doing."

In addition, he said, some people have refused to cooperate with health investigators, who have therefore been unable to trace movements and warn other people that they were exposed.

The Health Department asks all health care providers to immediately report all cases of suspect measles to the Rockland County Department of Health Communicable Disease Program staff by calling (845) 364-2997 during normal business hours, or (845) 364-8600 after hours/weekends. Health Care Providers can also call this number for additional information.

Ruppert said officials know that there have been far more cases so far in this outbreak than have been reported.

The press conference at which Ruppert and Day spoke was streamed live on Facebook. The comments threat during the conference was filled with comments from people who oppose vaccination. Here's a sample:

• Danielle Martorano Fazio Can we talk about what happens when someone dies after a vaccine?? Oh that’s not allowed.
• Stephanie Lautner This is all just a big fear tactic paid for by pharma because they can’t enforce this without violating rights which they’ve already said they’re not going to do.
• Paula Anderson We want full disclosure of any pharmaceutical money the county has received in the past year.
• Kristen Coons I'm think of my vaccine injured children, confirmed by a specialist. According to Ed Day, their injury was worth it for the "greater good." Not to my babies!

Officials said the health department continues actively working to contain the further spread of measles. They ask residents and visitors:

If you are ill with a fever, rash, or conjunctivitis (red watery eyes) – help protect our community by staying home, not having visitors, and not going out in public. To further prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

"High community vaccination rates help protect people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions. The best way to help protect yourself and the community is to remain up-to-date with your measles vaccination," said Rockland Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Ruppert.

Free MMR vaccines are available by calling:

• The Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2497 or 845-364-2520 to schedule an appointment to get a free MMR vaccine at the Pomona health complex.
• The Rockland County Department of Health Spring Valley Family Planning Clinic is also providing MMR vaccines, by appointment to Family Planning patients. Family Planning Clinic patients can call 845-364-2531 to schedule an appointment.

In addition, MMR vaccines are available at local health care providers or by calling a local federally qualified health center, such as Refuah or Hudson River Health Care. The federally qualified health centers see patients on a sliding fee scale and by appointment. They may require patients new to their centers to have a well visit first, before a vaccine can be given.