United States: A massive outbreak linked to measles infection has been reported in a migrant shelter in New York City after more people have contracted the infection. The health officials have outlined that they have been working to control the spread of the disease.
According to the preliminary information by the officials, the outbreak has been reported on Hall Street in Clinton Hill. Reportedly, around 3, 000 migrants are housed in the facility which is considered to be a huge taxpayer-run which was opened last year.
Recently, around two people have tested positive for the infection and they have been quarantined on the first floor of the building. In addition this, other people have also been quarantined in the building, according to the reports by CBS News.
What is measles, and how can infection be contagious?
Measles is considered to be a contagious and serious air-borne disease which can even result in death. The infection is crucial for children. While dealing with the infection, the person witnesses high fever, malaise, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. In addition to this, a person also see spots and rashes. The details regarding the disease were shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of July 12, in 2024 the cases reported by the city’s health department has reached up to 11. The health authorities are on high alert because last year the total number of cases were just one (1) followed by zero cases in three consecutive years. The health authorities are stressed that the city might again witness an outbreak similar to 2019, during which the city reported 605 cases.
Measles Outbreak in the US!
According to the official reports, the total number of measles cases in the United States have been increased by three times, as compared to 2023. In 2024, the count has reached to 167, out of the total 53 percent cases are seeking treatment in hospital.
Along with New York City, measles-linked outbreaks are also reported in Chicago, where two school-going children tested positive for measles.
According to city officials, newly arrived migrants are being offered vaccines at a Midtown intake facility. However, it’s unclear how many people at the Clinton Hill facility have actually received vaccinations. Fox News Digital contacted the mayor’s office and the city’s health department for a comment but did not get an immediate response.
City Council member Crystal Hudson, who represents the district where the facility is situated, believes that the city should be putting more effort into vaccinating the migrants.
Hudson was quoted saying, “My office has been pushing this administration to provide vaccines to residents at this site for months, only to be rebuffed time and time again. In fact, our request for a vaccination van at an on-site resource fair organized by my office on June 1 was denied,” according to the New York Post.
Along with this, the concerning situation was also addressed by the Health Commissioner of the New York City – Dr Ashwin Vasan who has outlined that proper testing was conducted to verify if the exposed people are vaccinated or not. As per the reports by CBS, those who were not vaccinated will remain into quarantine for at least three (3) weeks.
Vasan stated, “The Health Department and Health + Hospitals are coordinating to ensure that anyone who’s been exposed gets the support and resources they need.” He furthermore added, “While measles may be an extremely contagious virus, the risk to the community is low as most New Yorkers are vaccinated against it. Importantly, measles is preventable. The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.”
The officials have claimed that people must get vaccinated as the risk of contracting measles decreases post-vaccination.