Rockland County declares state of emergency over measles outbreak; bans unvaccinated kids from public places

March 26-- Mar. 26--Rockland County will ban unvaccinated kids from public places as part of a state of emergency declared Tuesday to battle a measles outbreak, officials said.

The ban, which starts at midnight, will prohibit anyone who under the age of 18 from public places within the county, said Rockland County Executive Ed Day, who called the county outbreak the worst in the nation.

"We owe to this to the residents of this great county so we never have to go through this again." Day said at a news conference. "We must do everything in our power to end this outbreak. "

This ban will last until the declaration expires in 30 days or until people are vaccinated.

It was not immediately clear how the ban will be enforced. Public places include schools, churches, malls and h ospitals.

"No one from law enforcement will be asking for vaccination records," Day said. "But if you are found to be in violation, your case will be referred to the District Attorney's office."

Under the terms of the state of emergency declaration, whose found in violation of the order can be charged with a misdemeanor and face six months in jail.

Day said the focus of the order will be on parents who do not get their children vaccinated.

"We must not allowed this outbreak to continue." Day said. "This is a public health crisis and it is time to sound the alarm."

There are 153 confirmed reported cases of measles in the county, according to health officials. Day said only 72 percent of minors are vaccinated, and that efforts to increase the number has been met in some circles with "irresponsible" resistance. Health inspectors have been turned away from some homes, and were hung up on and told not to call again when trying to reach certain homes on the telephone.

Day said there is no religious exemption from the vaccine, and that local rabbis had joined the compliance effort.

The outbreak began six months ago when seven unvaccinated travelers entered Rockland with the disease and spread it across the county.

Day said he was timing the state of emergency to coincide with upcoming religious holidays when families would be gathering and traveling. Compliance now, he said, would ensure healthy gatherings.

"We continue to encourage everyone to be up-to-date with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to help protect them in case of any future exposure to measles in Rockland," Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said.

"Measles is highly contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease, and they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions."

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