Health officials say they have confirmed another two cases of measles, bringing the total number of individuals infected with the illness since February 5th to 26. So far, 12 children and 14 adults have contracted measles, which was previously thought to have been eradicated. At least two of the children who fell ill were purposefully not vaccinated, and 8 were too young to receive the vaccine.
In a statement from Health Commissioner Mary Bassett today, the DOH urged New Yorkers to ensure they and their family members were properly vaccinated for measles. "After more than two weeks since the last confirmed case, this is a reminder that we must continue to remain vigilant," Bassett, who noted that most of the cases were concentrated in Upper Manhattan, said. "There are steps everyone can take to stop this outbreak...New Yorkers, please do your part and make sure your family is vaccinated."
Though the DOH says one of the new cases was contracted overseas and is unrelated to the current outbreak, the 25 other confirmed cases are worrisome, particularly since the highly-contagious disease took a nosedive in recorded infectionsafter the advent of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in the 1970s. A vocal group of parents have advocated against vaccinations of late, citing debunked theories that linked vaccinations to autism. Data has shown staggeringly poor vaccination rates at a number of private schools in the city, though public school vaccination rates continue to stay strong.
A few celebrities, including Jenny McCarthy and Kristin Cavallari, have identified themselves as anti-vaxxers, though recently McCarthy claimed she believes "parents have the right to choose one poke per visit." There is no evidence that receiving more than once vaccine at a time will adversely affect an infant.
