2019 New York measles outbreak

2019 New York Measles Outbreak

The 2019 New York measles outbreak was a significant public health event that occurred primarily in the state of New York, United States, during 2019. This outbreak was part of a larger resurgence of measles cases in the United States and globally, attributed to declining vaccination rates and increased vaccine hesitancy.

Background

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. The disease is preventable through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, measles outbreaks have occurred in various parts of the world due to insufficient vaccination coverage.

Outbreak Details

The outbreak in New York began in late 2018 and continued into 2019, with the majority of cases reported in Rockland County and certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, particularly those with large Orthodox Jewish communities. These communities experienced lower vaccination rates due to misinformation and religious exemptions.

The New York City Department of Health declared a public health emergency in April 2019, mandating vaccinations in affected areas and imposing fines on those who refused to comply. The outbreak was one of the largest in the United States since measles was declared eliminated in the country in 2000.

Public Health Response

In response to the outbreak, health officials implemented several measures:

• **Vaccination Campaigns**: Increased efforts to vaccinate unvaccinated individuals, particularly targeting communities with low vaccination rates.
• **Public Education**: Campaigns to counter misinformation about vaccines and educate the public on the importance of vaccination.
• **Quarantine and Isolation**: Measures to isolate infected individuals and quarantine those exposed to the virus.

Impact

The outbreak resulted in over 1,200 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2019, with New York accounting for a significant portion of these cases. The outbreak highlighted the challenges of maintaining herd immunity and the impact of vaccine misinformation.

Conclusion

The 2019 New York measles outbreak underscored the importance of vaccination and the need for effective public health strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy. It also prompted legislative changes, including the removal of non-medical exemptions for school vaccinations in New York.

Also see

• Measles
• Vaccine hesitancy
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Public health
• Orthodox Judaism