Rockland’s measles outbreak not over; new exposure locations revealed
Officials say some people are throwing "measles parties" to build immunity instead of vaccinating.
News 12 Staff
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Mar 21, 2019, 9:23 PM
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Updated 1,853 days ago
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The Rockland County Health Department has announced six new locations where people may have been exposed to the measles.
So far, the outbreak has led to 151 confirmed cases. On Thursday officials revealed possible points of exposure between Sunday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 19.
According to the Health Department website, they include:
- Target in Spring Valley Marketplace, 50 Spring Valley Market Place, Spring Valley, NY 10977, between Sunday 3/10/19 at 8:00 am and Monday 3/11/19 at 1:00 am, and between Monday 3/11/19 at 8:00 am and Tuesday 3/12/19 at 2:00 am. (The RCDOH has been unable to narrow the time of possible exposure at the Target in Spring Valley Marketplace despite multiple attempts to reach the infected individual).
- All Fresh Supermarket, 19 Route 59, Monsey, NY 10952 on Tuesday, 3/12/19 between 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Atrium Plaza, 401 Route 59, Monsey, NY 10952, on Tuesday, 3/12/19 between 2:30 pm – 5:45 pm
- Designer's Spot, 401 Route 59, Monsey, NY 10952, on Tuesday, 3/12/19 between 2:30 pm - 5:45 pm
- TOR Bus – Loop 2 Eastbound that traveled on Tuesday, 3/12/19 between 3:55 pm and 6:06 pm from the Atrium Plaza in Monsey, NY
- International Taxi that drove from near 5 Twin Avenue in Spring Valley, NY to near the intersection of Sunrise Drive and Monsey Blvd. in Monsey, NY on Wednesday, 3/13/2019 between 3:15 pm and 5:30 pm
County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnable-Ruppert says part of the problem is that not everyone infected is getting treatment or cooperating with the Health Department.
Officials say in other cases, people are throwing "measles parties" to build immunity instead of vaccinating.
"Many people in the community of Rockland have not gone to the doctor and providers have not been able to diagnose, so we don't know how many more cases there are,” says Dr. Schnable-Ruppert.
The warning signs include fever, rash and red eyes. Those most at risk are children under six months old, pregnant women, seniors, those who are immuno-compromised and anyone who is not vaccinated.
Rockland officials say 16,000 residents have been vaccinated since the measles outbreak began. The county is offering free vaccinations to anyone in need.
