The NYC Health Department today is reporting six individuals with confirmed measles this month in the Orthodox Jewish community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The initial case of measles was acquired by a child on a visit to Israel, where a large outbreak of the disease is occurring. The individuals with measles ranged in age from 11 months to 4 years. Five of these children were unvaccinated prior to exposure, including four because vaccination was delayed and one who was too young to have received the vaccine. The sixth child had received one dose of the vaccine prior to exposure but was not yet immune. Complications include one child who was hospitalized with pneumonia and another child with an ear infection.
Meanwhile, Health officials in Rockland County on Wednesday said there were seven confirmed cases, and an additional eight suspected cases being investigated involving a mix of adults and children.
Rockland officials say five of the sickened can be traced to recent travel to Israel. Two additional cases are from exposure that occurred in the county.
Health officials have said anyone at the following locations in Rockland, Westchester and Bergen counties may have been exposed to the measles:
- Congregation Bais Elazer in Monsey, N.Y. on Oct. 4
- Mia’s Reflexology in New City, N.Y. on Oct. 4
- Lifetime Gym in Montvale, N.J. on Oct. 5
- Wesley Kosher in Monsey N.Y. on Oct. 5
- Congregation Borov in Monsey, N.Y. on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6
- Costco in Nanuet, N.Y. on Oct. 7
- Care 365 in Monsey, N.Y. on Oct. 8
- Westchester Medical Center’s Emergency Room in Valhalla, N.Y. on Oct. 11
For those who believe they may have been exposed and have further questions, a toll-free hotline has been established: 1-888-364-4837. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To increase awareness about measles, the NYC Health Department will hold a meeting in Williamsburg with rabbis and elected officials tomorrow, place ads in local newspapers and distribute posters to health care providers.
The first case in Rockland County of international travel was in late September, and two more cases due to separate international travelers in early October are leading to more potential cases of measles among non-immune residents.
County health officials offered a free vaccine to residents who had been exposed on Oct. 11. Now they’re offering two more chances for a free vaccine.
“As we see more cases there is the potential for further exposure,” said Rockland County Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert. “The Rockland County Department of Health continues to investigate these cases and will keep residents informed of any updates. I recommend that residents make sure they and their families are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations.”
Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease.
People who are unvaccinated risk getting infected with measles and spreading it to others, and they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions.
Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if:
• they were born before 1957
• have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
• have had measles confirmed by a health care provider
• or have a lab test confirming immunity
Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or runny nose, and they could appear 10 to 12 days after exposure.
The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.
To prevent the spread of illness, health officials are advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care.
You can also attend the Rockland County Health Department’s next set of free MMR vaccine clinics on:
- Thursday, October 18th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Community Outreach Center, located at 21 Remsen Avenue, Suite 201 in Monsey, NY
- Friday, October 19th from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Pascack Community Center, located at 87 New Clarkstown Rd., Nanuet NY
Two weeks ago, YWN reported about the Menahel of Breslov Mosdos in Tzefas having been infected with the measles. He was listed in critical condition at the time of the news story.
There have been dozens of stories published by YWN in the past few months of measles alerts issued by authorities involving Frum people who have not been vaccinated.
(Yossi Taub – YWN)
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10 Responses
This is the dire consequences when people don’t vaccinate.
Most of my family and classmates, had Mumps measles Chicken pox 40 years ago. Amazing how BIG$ can brainwash anyone.
> think dont sink
Yeah – that is the point of “think” As example, any number of heavy cigarette smokers never died of cancer. Usually that runs in families as they inherited some genetic factor giving then resistance (also the type of occupation has an affect). Same is true for things like eating meat – some genetic factors give certain families a very high tolerance and they don’t die from heart attacks. Others don’t have these factors and they perish at a young age.
But while smoking and eating are to a considerable degrees in the power of the individual to choose, things like communicable diseases are not. So while “lucky” families may have immunity, and can be “carriers”, others suffer because of the hubris of the “lucky” ones.
Saw this tonight on channel 7 ABC news. This whole situation is becoming a huge chillul Hashem, I didn’t sense any antisemtisim at all as this is pekuach nefesh.
It’s amazing how insensitive these antivaxxers are. I’m sure the mom whose baby is in the hospital now with measles pneumonia finds comfort that you had measles as a child. And what is your point anyway? Because people used to get horrible diseases years ago it’s not a big deal to get them now? So, by that logic, if someone comes down with a bad pneumonia, they shouldn’t take antibiotics, because 50 years ago grandpa came down with pneumonia. And if someone has a heart attack, they don’t need to go to the hospital, because years ago people would just rest in bed after a heart attack.
And what BIG$ ? The government provides free vaccines for all poor patients. The money that is saved is from not having outbreaks of horrible diseases which cost billions in hospital costs, lost work and productivity.
Yes, vaccines companies do get paid for manufacturing vaccines. But they have to maintain strict quality control, and destroy millions of doses if there is any contamination.
Let me as you – do you get paid for what you do? Or do you work for free?
Vaccines came out to prevent diseases that used to kill and maim millions. They are so effective, that most people will fortunately never see a loved one get polio or small pox.
Unfortunately because of these “conspiracy theory” antivaxxers, we are seeing a lot of the successes being undone
has anyone asked the anti-vaccination moetzet member for his views?
And many have to be quarantined 21 days home. If smart Einsteins anti vaxers will know they have to keep children home 21 days in some cases of a classmate exposed, Im sure they will start giving shots. They dont want kid home for that long. Now how about polio shot? Do you know there are thousands of frum new yorkers delaying polio? Theres blood in their hands. They can be lo aleinu transmiting to newborns or to people whose vacination did not make the right barrier. Adults over 25 please go to any doctor or night place like ODA Chai etc and ask to check your “titers”. Otherwise you can cholila catch from anti vaxers smart people.
When I was younger I wasn’t sure about vaccinations so I gave them to my kids months later than what is mandatory. But I wasn’t an oiberchuchem and not give it at all. Despite my hesitations , I felt I have no right withholding vaccinations just because I’m not sure if I trust the medical industry and government regulations. I felt that they may be excessive, but the consequences of not giving it to them is worse if it does actually work. Well now I see the repercussions of not vaccinating.
Don’t be stupid and withhold giving vaccinations to your kids. You will prevent serious medical issues for them and others and prevent chillul Hashem as well.
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their infants should have their children taken away from them — for the children’s protection
this negates the Torah – rak am navon – a chillel hashem fostered by people so full of themselves they think they know better. i would hope for BUT DO NOT EXPECT a very public act of teshuvah with a strong call to vaccinate