Two instances of measles have been confirmed in New York Metropolis to this point this yr, in keeping with the New York Metropolis well being division.
Officers haven’t disclosed the ages or vaccination standing of the 2 instances, however they’re urging mother and father to vaccinate their kids. The primary case was reported earlier this yr, however the instances are reportedly unrelated.
Anybody who has not acquired an immunization ought to get a vaccine and must also be sure that kids obtain the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines, the well being division advises.
“As a pediatrician and the state’s physician, I need to remind everybody that immunization is protected and the perfect safety to your kids in opposition to measles and different doubtlessly lethal ailments,” stated Dr James McDonald, the state well being commissioner, in a press launch.
The information comes simply after New Jersey had three confirmed measles instances in Bergen county and issued an alert in response.
In 2024, 14 instances have been reported within the metropolis by the New York Metropolis well being division.
Measles, a extremely contagious respiratory sickness, was formally declared eradicated within the US in 2000. But instances have been on the rise lately. The re-emergence of preventable diseases comes at a time when misinformation about vaccines is rampant, and charges of vaccinations are declining within the US.
There have been 164 instances throughout the US as of 27 February, spreading throughout Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York Metropolis, Rhode Island and Texas, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Twenty p.c of these instances have resulted in hospitalization.
Texas noticed the most important outbreak to this point with 146 instances, and final week the state reported the first measles demise within the US since 2015. The varsity-aged baby who died was not vaccinated, the Texas division of state well being companies stated.
Following the outbreak, US well being secretary and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr backtracked on his earlier feedback final week downplaying the instances.
Although he had initially referred to the US measles outbreak as “common”, he appeared to acknowledge the seriousness by saying that “ending the measles outbreak is a prime precedence for me”, in an X publish.
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