Another measles emergency declared in New York county

An emergency warning, covering certain areas within the area of Brooklyn, has been declared following a further measles outbreak in the state, meaning that all residents have been ordered to inoculate themselves or face a fine.

In the last six months, there have been 285 reported cases in the area, 246 of whom were children. Of these, 21 people have been hospitalised and five have been admitted to an intensive care unit.

Measles is a highly contagious virus which can lead to serious health complications, such as swelling of the brain and pneumonia.

The order stipulates that any citizen living in the affected areas who has not been vaccinated against the virus must be immunised within 48 hours and parents of children over the age of six months must arrange to have them vaccinated or show proof of immunisation.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, said “I want everyone to understand how serious this is and how quickly it spreads The bottom line is to recognise that this is something that has now become even more urgent.”

This follows news last month that Rockland County in New York state also declared a state of emergency following the confirmation of 153 cases.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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