Measles in New York: 23 additional cases reported in Brooklyn neighborhoods

Health officials in New York City reported 23 new cases of measles in Brooklyn's Williamsburg (21) and Borough Park (2) districts, bringing the total number of cases to 181 since last October.

The distribution of cases in Brooklyn and Queens since the beginning of the outbreak is as follows: Williamsburg: 130 confirmed cases of measles, Borough Park (46), Midwood / Marine Park (2) and one at Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach and Flushing , in Queens.

Most of these cases involved members of the Orthodox Jewish community.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, more than 3,600 people have contracted measles in the past year.

The first child with measles had not been vaccinated and contracted measles during a visit to Israel, where a major outbreak of disease is taking place. Since then, new people in Brooklyn and Queens have been vaccinated and contracted measles in Israel. People who have not traveled have also been infected in Brooklyn or Rockland County.

Health officials advise you if you plan to travel to Israel, protect yourself and your family from measles, and get vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at least two weeks before your trip.

If you have traveled to Israel and have fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose and rash, contact your doctor. You should call your doctor before going to his office to avoid exposing others to measles.