[ad_1]
Rockland County, NY – With 40 confirmed cases of measles and 11 suspected cases under investigation, Rockland County health officials have announced new restrictions and more vaccination clinics. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, commissioner of the Rockland County Health Department, said at a press conference that 26 schools are now covered by orders from the Ministry of Health.
"We are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of students in our community," she said.
Starting Monday, all schools in New Square Village and all Spring Valley and Monsey schools with a vaccination rate of less than 70% (in the geographic area affected by the measles outbreak) will be required to remain under-vaccinated or under-vaccinated. students return home until 21 days have elapsed since the last confirmed case of measles in Rockland.
This concerns 16 schools that have already been notified; 10 were concerned by the previous order.
This new group will be allowed to return to school if they are vaccinated – unless a student contracts measles.
This is added to the October 18th letter to schools attended by students with confirmed cases of measles, which indicate that unvaccinated or under-vaccinated students stay at home. For some of them, the order to stay at home could extend over several months, as new cases come up.
"We consider that the entire Rockland region is essentially exposed," she said. "Call your doctor, check your vaccination card."
For any questions regarding the effects of this prescription on your child's school, you may contact the New York State Department of Health's free measles information line, at (888) 364-4837.
The Department of Health will organize measles, mumps and rubella vaccination clinics at:
- Thursday November 1st from 4pm to 7pm at Community Outreach Center, 21 Remsen Avenue, Suite 201, Monsey, NY 10952
- Friday, November 2 from 10:00 to 13:30 at Community Outreach Center, 21 Remsen Avenue, Suite 201, Monsey, NY 10952
- Sunday, November 4, from 1pm to 3pm, Mobile Van – Upper Lot Parking, located at 728 North Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977, hosted by Refuah Health Center
- Tuesday, November 6 from 1pm to 6pm at the Darden Center, located at Dr. Berg Lane, in Spring Valley, NY 10977
During these clinics, the Department of Health and the Refuah Health Center will provide non-immune residents aged 6 months and older with one dose of MMR vaccine at no cost. People will be sorted (checked) before entering to make sure they are not sick. MMR vaccination clinics respond to the measles outbreak in Rockland County, which currently has 40 confirmed cases.
"We continue to encourage everyone to become familiar with the MMR vaccine in order to protect them from future exposure to measles in Rockland." Measles is extremely contagious, so anyone not protected against measles risks contracting measles, the disease, and they can transmit measles to people who can not be vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health problems, "said Dr. Ruppert.
A person is considered to be protected or immunized against measles if they have had measles confirmed by their doctor or provider or if they have had a laboratory test confirming their immunity. Those born before 1957 and those who received two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) are also considered immunized. However, there is very little chance that in this outbreak, they still contract measles, but much less serious. case and much less likely to spread to others.
I do not know if people realize how severe measles can be, "she said." We already have two children who have been hospitalized and one of them is in care. intensive.
The overall vaccination rate in Rockland is 90%, she says, which is high but lower than the state average. But it is much weaker in some subgroups. For example, there are medical exemptions and the Department of Health discusses with pediatricians the possibility of reassessing them.
Asked about the religious exemptions, Dr. Ruppert replied: "I met the rabbis, I asked them directly if there was a religious reason why people should not be vaccinated and the answer is " no ".
If you are not sure of being immunized against measles, contact your health care provider. In general, every person four years of age and older needs two doses of MMR vaccine, unless there are contraindications (medical reasons not to be vaccinated). Two doses of MMR vaccine can provide 97% protection against measles. As a general rule, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given between 12 and 15 months and the second dose between four and six years (age of school entry), although individuals can also be vaccinated later in life.
However, due to a measles outbreak in Rockland County, the Rockland County Health Department is currently recommending that children aged 6 to 11 months receive a MMR vaccine now. They will still have to be vaccinated at the age of 12-15 months and then at the age of 4 to 6 years. However, receiving a MMR vaccine now will help protect them against measles. Therefore, any child 6 months of age or older, or any adult who has not yet received their first MMR vaccine, should do so now.
In addition, children aged 1 to 3 who have already received their first MMR vaccine should now receive a second MMR vaccine, as it has been 28 days since the first MMR vaccine was given. This second MMR vaccine will count for entry to school. In the state of New York, measles immunization is mandatory for children enrolled in schools, daycares and kindergartens. Since August 1990, students are also required to demonstrate immunity against measles.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through direct contact with the nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants and young children, as it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness and death. Non-immunized pregnant women, as well as immunocompromised or immunosuppressed people (when your body can not fight the disease) are also at risk of complications in case of measles. About one in four people who contract measles will be hospitalized.
"Measles is more than a red rash and uncomfortable," she said, citing complications associated with diarrhea and dehydration, pneumonia, measles, ear infections, meningitis , to encephalitis, etc.
Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (watery eyes) or runny nose. People are considered infectious four to four days after the onset of the rash. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure, but can appear as early as 7 days and up to 21 days after exposure.
To prevent the spread of the disease, the Department recommends that potentially exposed individuals with measles-compatible symptoms contact their health care provider, local clinic, or local emergency department. before go for the care. This will help prevent other people in these facilities from being exposed to the disease.
Residents can get more information about measles by visiting www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170.pdf and calling the New York Department of Health at the toll free number. . Measles Information Line at (888) 364-4837. The Rockland County Health Department is coordinating our response closely with the New York State Department of Health to ensure the health and safety of all residents.
The Department of Health is asking all health care providers to immediately report all suspected measles cases to the Rockland County Department of Communicable Disease Department program staff by calling (845) 364-2997 during regular office hours or (845) 364-8600 after hours. / weekends. Health care providers can call this number for additional information.
SEE ALSO:
Receive the New City Newsletters
[ad_2]
Source link
