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A New York county declared a state of emergency for 30 days due to the ongoing measles outbreak that sickened over a hundred people in the community.

On Tuesday, Rockland County Executive Edwin Day issued the state of emergency declaration. The county is dealing with the measles outbreak since October 2018. There are 153 confirmed reported cases of measles in the county as of March 26, 2019.

In addition to the emergency declaration, the county also banned anyone below 18 years of age and unvaccinated from public places starting midnight on Wednesday, March 27.

In a statement, Mr. Day explained, "Every action we have taken since the beginning of this outbreak has been designed to maximize vaccinations and minimize exposures. We are taking the next step in that endeavor today.”

Additionally, he stated, “This is an opportunity for everyone in our community to do the right thing for their neighbors and come together. We must do everything in our power to end this outbreak and protect the health of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and that of children too young to be vaccinated.”

Rockland County will not allow the measles outbreak to continue

Furthermore, Mr. Day noted that some people infected with measles are resisting county inspectors. They refused to discuss the health situation. He said the resistance is “unacceptable and irresponsible” because they are “endangering the health and well-being of others.” He went on to say that a person with the kind of behavior “displays a shocking lack of responsibility and concern for others…”

Measles is a highly contagious virus that stays in the nose and through of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The virus can live up to two hours in airspace when the infected person coughed or sneezed. Therefore, a person who breathes in the contaminated airspace can be infected. A person who touched the infected space and then touched his/her eyes, nose, or mouth can be infected.

"We must not allow this outbreak to continue indefinitely. We will not sit idly by while children in our community are at risk. This is a public health crisis, and it is time to sound the alarm, to ensure that everyone takes proper action to protect themselves and their neighbors; for the health and safety of all of us in Rockland," said Mr. Day.