The measles outbreak in New York City is over after two incubation periods passed without any new infections, health officials announced Sept. 3, according to NBC New York.
The outbreak was centered in primarily Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in New York City and Rockland County. The city had 654 measles cases since October 2018, the most in 30 years. The outbreak prompted officials to enact an emergency vaccine order requiring everyone in certain neighborhoods to receive the MMR vaccine. The order will now be lifted.
Health officials remained cautious in the Sept. 3 announcement. Measles is "one of the most contagious diseases on the face of the earth," said city Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot, MD. "Staying up to date on vaccines is the best way for people to protect the health and safety of their friends, family and neighbors," she said.
The state revoked religious exemptions to vaccines in June. Prior to the ban, over 26,000 children in public and private schools and day care centers were unvaccinated for religious reasons, the state Health Department reported. The ban has remained in place despite challenges in court.