Dozens more New York City kids contract measles as officials struggle to contain the outbreak

Dozens more New York City kids contract measles as officials struggle to contain the outbreak

  • Two of the newly-infected children, who had skipped their vaccines on religious grounds, are not part of the Orthodox Jewish community 
  • It’s believed they visited the community, which accounts for most of the cases 

Another 43 kids have contracted measles in New York City, bringing the total caseload to 466.

Two of the newly-infected children, who had skipped their vaccines on religious grounds, are not part of the Orthodox Jewish community, which accounts for the vast majority of cases.

City officials believe they were infected while visiting or passing through the neighborhood, which traverses four ZIP codes in Brooklyn. 

They say the kids, who attend public school, did not go to school while infected.  

Thirty-four New Yorkers have been hospitalized with measles, and nine admitted to the ICU

The new data from April 29, released on Tuesday, confirm April was the worst month since the outbreak began in October.

Despite Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempts to impose mandatory vaccinations ahead of Passover – when officials expected a lot of movement between neighborhoods – the rate of infections rocketed, to a total of 151 infections in one month alone.  

Thirty-four people have been hospitalized, and nine admitted to the intensive care unit. 

‘Right now, we still see a highly localized outbreak in the Williamsburg community, even though there have been sporadic infections outside of the neighborhood,’ said Health Commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot. 

‘One reason we have not seen secondary infections outside this community is because so many people are vaccinated, underscoring the importance of vaccination. 

‘We want to urge people to remain calm. 

‘The best way to protect yourself as well as family, friends, neighbors and fellow New Yorkers is to make sure that you are immune from the measles if you have not already done so.’

Deputy Commissioner Dr Demetre Daskalakis said: ‘We are confident there is no increased risk of exposure at New York City public schools both because the recently diagnosed children from Sunset Park were not in school while infectious and because of the high vaccination rates of students in these and all NYC public schools. 

‘This is the time to act. Measles is a highly contagious disease. If you are spending time in Williamsburg, Borough Park or other areas with measles activity in or around NYC confirm that you are immune to measles by looking at your vaccination history or by consulting with your healthcare provider.  

‘If you don’t know if you have been vaccinated and you live, work, study, or play in areas with measles activity, get vaccinated. It is safe and effective.’

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