Two measles cases in New York City
NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - As the measles outbreak continues to spread in Texas, the New York City Health Department now confirms two cases of measles in New York City.
Last week, three cases of the highly contagious virus were reported in Bergen County, New Jersey.
"Absolutely can die from it. You can become deaf, blind, brain-damage. You can have post-measles encephalitis. It's a horrible, horrible illness," said Dr. Dyan Hes with Highline Modern Medicine.
One child has already died in Texas and more than 120 sickened, and Dr. Hes says the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine is key to prevention.
"The first vaccine is 93% effective, and when get you get the second booster, it's 97% effective in preventing measles," Hes shared.
The first dose is typically given at 12 months and the second between four-to-six years.
But, Dr. Hes says if you are traveling to an area where there has been an outbreak, "we'll start offering MMR vaccine to babies as young as six months."
According to the New York City Health Department, there were 14 cases of measles in 2024, just one in 2023 and none for the three years prior.
The last outbreak with 605 cases was reported in 2019.
"Because of that measles outbreak, a lot of schools tightened their requirements to make sure children, in fact, had two doses of vaccines before they started school," said Dr. Sharon Nochman, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stoney Brook Children's Hospital."
Five-year-old Newton Nyu had his.
"Not too concerned about it. One, he had his vaccines. Two, the government is doing all they can to prevent disease from spreading," said Nyu's father.
"I feel safe being vaccinated," said Jason Gordon, a resident of the Upper West Side.
The New York City Health Department has not said exactly where the measles cases were reported, or if they involved children.
