New York gets tough on measles outbreak

NEW YORK has ended religious exemptions from vaccinations, as the state at the epicentre of the worst measles outbreak in the US in 20 years continues its fight against the disease.

Politicians in Albany, the state capital, narrowly voted to end the religious exemptions yesterday. Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, immediately signed the bill into effect.

“While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health,” said Mr Cuomo, adding that the new law “will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks”.

The state cannot force any parents to vaccinate their children, but it can insist that only vaccinated children be allowed at schools and day care centres.

During the 2017-18 school year, 26,217 students in schools, childcare centres and nurseries had religious exemptions. The outbreak has spread to 28 states, with more than 1,000 cases in total, the highest number since 1992, when more than 2,000 cases were recorded. Measles can lead to complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000, but has made a comeback, with 1,022 cases reported to June 6 this year.

New York is the hardest-hit state, with 588 cases in New York City itself. In both areas the cases are concentrated in Orthodox Jewish communities, which have a lower rate of vaccination than the general population.

The American Medical Association said it would support state bills allowing minors to ask for vaccinations even if their parents refuse, which is the subject of another bill in New York.

UUS immigration officials have placed 5,200 adult migrants in quarantine after being exposed to mumps or chicken pox. Cases have been recorded in 39 detention centres.