Measles spreads to Sunset Park as number of confirmed cases reaches 466

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The measles outbreak spread to Sunset Park with three non-Jewish individuals, including two students from a public school, contracting the disease. AP Photo / Seth Wenig

The New York City measles epidemic, which is largely contained in the Jewish Orthodox community of Williamsburg, spread to Sunset Park as three people outside the Orthodox community – including two students – contracted the disease.

According to the Department of Health, neither of the two children was vaccinated, but they were allowed to go to school due to religious exemptions. However, they did not go to school when they were contagious, and both had spent time in measles-ravaged areas.

Deputy Commissioner Demetre Daskalakis wanted to assure the community that students in public schools were not at increased risk of contracting the disease.

"We are confident that there is no increased risk of exposure in public schools in New York City, both because Newly Diagnosed children of Sunset Park do not have the same risk." were out of school and were infected and because of the high vaccination rates of students in these schools and all public schools in New York, "says Daskalakis.

"It's time to act. Measles is a very contagious disease. If you are spending time in Williamsburg, Borough Park or other measles-affected areas in or around New York, confirm that you are immunized against measles by consulting your immunization history or by consulting your health care provider. health. "

Daskalakis urged anyone living, working, studying or playing in measles-affected areas like Williamsburg and Borough Park to be vaccinated.

The total number of confirmed cases in the city has risen to 466 – 43 more since April 30 – and 181 more since Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a public health emergency on April 9.

Eighty-one percent or 379 cases occurred in Williamsburg. As part of the emergency, the city ordered mandatory vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella for residents of postal codes 11205, 11206, 11211 and 11249.

The mandate met with some resistance. An anti-vaxxer organization representing parents of five unvaccinated children in Williamsburg filed a lawsuit against the city, but the city was rejected by a Brooklyn judge. A second attempt to appeal to the warrant was also denied by a court of appeal.

The mayor said people and parents ignorant of the order would be liable to a fine of up to $ 1,000 and would be questioned by "disease detectives". Eighty-four unvaccinated people have already been sentenced to such fines.

"At the present time, we are still seeing a very localized outbreak in the Williamsburg community, even though there have been sporadic infections outside the neighborhood," said Dr. Oxiris Barbot , health commissioner. "One of the reasons we have not seen secondary infections outside this community is that so many people are vaccinated, which underscores the importance of immunization.

"We want to urge people to stay calm. The best way to protect yourself, your family, friends, neighbors and fellow New Yorkers is to make sure that you are not immune to measles if it is not already done.

Follow reporter Scott Enman on Twitter.

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