New York judge rules on emergency state of measles in Rockland County

A judge ruled on behalf of dozens of parents who went to court following an urgent order issued last week by Rockland County, New York, barring unvaccinated children from visiting public.

The New York Supreme Court ruled on April 5 on the county decree, which aimed to curb the measles outbreak that has made 160 people sick since last October, reported ABC7.

The Rockland County mandate is 30 days and prohibits people under the age of 18 who are not vaccinated against measles in schools, shops, churches or public transportation, the report says.

Judge rules against Rockland County state of emergency following measles outbreak https://t.co/cTszT7s9e1 pic.twitter.com/5hdxxc2X7c

– News Eyewitness (@ ABC7NY) April 5, 2019

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the parents of the Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge, and their lawyer said the order was "arbitrary and capricious."

The judge of the Supreme Court of the State granted a temporary injunction terminating the state of emergency.

"Although Judge Thorsen's decision today did not go according to plan, I would like to congratulate those in Rockland who used this emergency," said Ed Day, county executive. from Rockland, in a statement.

"What has not changed is our message of urgency. Although the court may not accept our action in this case, the disease continues unabated. One would think that seeing 42 exhibits at a local hospital would attract the attention and court support that he deserves. I am of the opinion that waiting for a medical catastrophe is discouraged, especially given the fact that we can see it happen, "he said.

"The increase we had planned for the promulgation of our emergency declaration unfortunately came to fruition with 167 pending cases. Our Ministry of Health will continue to do everything possible to stem the tide of this epidemic. "

Michael Sussman, a parent's lawyer, said the statement "is an inappropriate vehicle for such a large order," said LoHud.

"We hope all the county schools, where children exempt from religion and banned from religion, will be sent back to school so they can continue their studies," Sussman said Friday afternoon.

"What's important is the over-reach, its indefensible," he said earlier in the week.

How many are there?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published an update on the number of measles cases in recent months in the United States.

The agency reported 387 cases across the country from 1 January to the end of March.

States that have reported cases of viruses are Washington, Texas, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Missouri, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Connecticut, according to the agency in a bulletin on March 28.

In comparison, there were 372 cases of measles for the whole of 2018, the agency noted. And in 2017, there were 120 cases, while in 2016, there were 86.

In recent years, the largest number of outbreaks in a single year occurred in 2014, when 667 cases of measles were confirmed, the agency said. .

"These outbreaks are linked to travelers who brought back measles from other countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, where large outbreaks of measles occur," said the spokesman. health agency, adding that "measles is still common in many parts of the world" some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa ".

The CDC noted that the virus can also spread to areas of the United States where groups of people are not vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the CDC defines an "epidemic" as three or more cases in an area.

Outbreaks have been reported in Rockland County, New York; New York City; Washington State; Santa Cruz County, California; New Jersey; and Butte County, California.

Each state, Washington and Puerto Rico, has its own vaccine requirements to attend a public school.

"As of July 18, 2018, the 50 states and regions [Washington] Developing countries should be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough; polio; measles and rubella (49 states and developing countries also require vaccination against mumps); and vaccination against chickenpox (varicella), "according to ProCon.org.