Measles cases in the United States increase as the epidemic in New York worsens



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In Rockland County, New York, nine more cases have been reported, the CDC said, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 167 since the fall. County officials took the extraordinary step of banning unvaccinated children from gaining access to public places, although one judge canceled the measure late last week.

The CDC has linked epidemics in New York, Rockland County and New Jersey to people reporting Israel's disease, where a major epidemic is occurring.

Measles is highly contagious, infecting up to 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to it, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, the virus can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes, which means that people can be exposed to it without even knowing it. People may be infected for days before they develop signs of the virus, such as fever, runny nose, or rash.

Since January, the disease has been reported in 19 states. Outbreaks, defined as three or more cases, are ongoing in five regions: New York City, Rockland County in the State of New York, Washington State, New Jersey, the Santa Cruz County California, Butte County California and Michigan.

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