Measles outbreak in Brooklyn, Rockland County

A measles outbreak that began when a child went on a trip to Israel now includes six cases in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and 11 cases in Rockland County.

Health officials had warned about the possibility of an outbreak earlier this month when they confirmed a case of the highly contagious viral disease in a child. 

There is a large outbreak of the disease currently occurring in Israel.

The child flew into Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey from Israel on September 28, 2018, and then traveled to several places in Rockland County, New York, officials said.

The sick children in Williamsburg range in age from 11 months to four-years-old while the sick in Rockland County are children and adults of various ages

Five of the children in Brooklyn were not vaccinated and a sixth child had received one dose but was not yet immune.

On Wednesday, health officials in Rockland County confirmed 11 cases and three suspected cases

Measles is transmitted by airborne particles, droplets, and direct contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person.

If you think you were exposed to measles, contact your health care provider before going to the facility so they can prevent exposure to other patients.

Suspected persons with measles should be reported immediately to the Health Department. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/health and search for “measles.”

In addition to the airport, anyone who visited these locations in New Square, Rockland County, during these times may have been exposed: BAIS MEDRASH OF NEW SQUARE, 11 TRUMAN AVENUE, NEW SQUARE Friday, Sept. 28, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. -- SUKKAH ADJACENT TO AVIR YAKOV BOYS' SCHOOL, 766 N. MAIN STREET, NEW SQUARE Friday, Sept. 28 between noon and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. -- REFUAH HEALTH CENTER, 728 N. MAIN STREET, NEW SQUARE Saturday, Sept. 29 between 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

"Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people," the Health Department said.

"People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash."

Because the illness is so contagious, call your doctor, clinic, or hospital ER before you seek care for symptoms consistent with measles. "This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness," officials said.