Eight measles cases reported in New York’s Westchester County as officials fear the virus is spreading state-wide
- Six of the patients are siblings aged between six months and 14 years old
- Some of the Westchester patients fell sick after visiting Brooklyn
- New York state currently has two major outbreaks: 285 cases in Brooklyn, and 168 in Rockland
Eight people have contracted measles in New York’s Westchester County as health officials fear the outbreak is spilling across the state.
Six of the patients are siblings aged between six months and 14 years old, and two of them have been hospitalized.
Westchester County neighbors Rockland County, where 168 people have contracted measles, prompting schools to temporarily ban unvaccinated children.
Some of the Westchester patients fell sick after visiting Brooklyn, where there is an outbreak of 285 cases.
Some of the Westchester patients fell sick after visiting Brooklyn, where there is an outbreak of more than 250 cases (pictured)
The new cases were reported a day after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced mandatory MMR vaccinations for everyone living in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood – in one of the toughest measures against an outbreak in US history.
The mandate came into affect on Thursday morning, and lasts until April 17.
People living in the four affected ZIP codes were warned they face a $1,000 fine or six months in prison if they skip the vaccine.
A lawyer is poised to file a lawsuit challenging the order this week.
Westchester officials have yet to announce what measure they will take, but Westchester Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler implored parents to vaccinate their children.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced mandatory MMR vaccinations for everyone living in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood – in one of the toughest measures against an outbreak in US history