Measles in New York
Jacqueline Howard at CNN:
A measles outbreak in New York has been called the largest in the state's recent history, and it's occurring at a time when there have been spikes in measles cases globally.
Since the outbreak emerged in September, measles has been diagnosed in at least 112 people across Rockland and Orange counties and at least 55 in New York City, according to numbers provided by the New York state and city health departments on Tuesday.
"I would say this is the largest measles outbreak that New York state has had in recent history," said Dr. Howard Zucker, the state commissioner of health.
"If you go back many decades ago when we weren't vaccinating, of course there were probably more outbreaks, but in my memory, I don't know of a measles outbreak that was this significant," he said. "We have immunized 13,000 children since this outbreak has begun."
The outbreak, which emerged after some children were infected on a visit to Israel in September, has particularly affected Orthodox Jewish communities, according to the New York City Health Department.
In New York City alone as of Tuesday, "we have 55 cases confirmed in Brooklyn," said Dr. Jane Zucker, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Immunization at the NYC Health Department. She is of no relation to Dr. Howard Zucker
