Rockland Wants Feds To Screen USA Visitors For Measles Shots

NEW CITY, NY - As its measles outbreak jumped to 233 cases, Rockland County Executive Ed Day has written to President Donald Trump asking for help. Day requested that an executive order be issued or laws be passed to require visitors from other countries to present certification of appropriate immunization before being allowed entry to the United States.

There are measles outbreaks in 24 states all linked to contagious international travelers.

"I respectfully request that the Federal government intervene in this matter," Day said in his letter to the President. "We and the 23 other states suffering through measles outbreaks need your help."

As of May 17, 880 cases of measles have been confirmed in 2019 in 24 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

These outbreaks are linked to travelers who brought measles back from other countries such as Israel, Ukraine, and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring.

Rockland County's measles outbreak began when seven travelers from overseas visited while they were infected with measles.

There are now 233 confirmed cases of measles in Rockland since the outbreak began (up from 206 as of May 1). Plus, officials believe there have been many more cases that were not reported.

The county sent copies of Day's letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and to Congresswoman Nita Lowey.

SEE: Measles Outbreak By April 2nd Biggest Since US Eradicated Virus