Measles Outbreak in New York City: 16 Confirmed Cases Alert Health Officials

Although measles was supposedly eliminated in the United States back in 2000, confirmed cases keep cropping up. In recent years, measles has been reported in California, New York, North Carolina, and Texas.

The latest instance occurred today in New York City. The NYC Health Department announced that 16 people have caught measles in northern Manhattan and the Bronx. The department is currently making sure that the virus does not spread throughout emergency rooms.

Last month, the Los Angeles Times revealed that some public figures and celebrities refused to get themselves and their children vaccinated because they believe there is a connection between the vaccines and autism--as well as other medical conditions. That said, numerous studies have shown that there is absolutely no connection between vaccines and the development of autism.

In February, the California Department of Public Health reported 14 measles cases in one week. Seven cases were caused due to children being intentionally unvaccinated. In 2013, 189 cases of measles were reported in New York, California, and North Carolina. Needless to say, refusing to get the measles and meningitis vaccinations can be dangerous.

Measles can be spread through the air from people coughing and sneezing, just like the common cold, and is extremely contagious. It can be especially dangerous in an urban area such as New York, where there are millions of people in close quarters. The NYC Department of health is making New Yorkers aware that they can check their immunity to measles through a blood test to see if re-vaccination is necessary.

Last month there was 13 reported cases on mumps at Fordham University in the Bronx. There was one reported case in January and it eventually turned into 12 by February 20^th. The city's health department is urging residents to make sure they are vaccinated for such diseases due to these small cases. It could save you a trip to the hospital.

To read more about the reported measles cases in New York City, visit this Time news release.