NYC measles outbreak declared over

JTA – The measles outbreak concentrated in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in New York City is considered over.

There have been no new infections over the last two incubation periods, signaling the end of the outbreak, city health officials said Sept. 3, the Associated Press reported. This means that an emergency order mandating vaccines will be lifted, according to the report.

The order required residents of those neighborhoods to be vaccinated or pay fines of up to $1,000.

New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot called on New Yorkers to continue to have their children immunized, however.

“Staying up to date on vaccines is the best way for people to protect the health and safety of their friends, family and neighbors,” Barbot told AP.

The outbreak began in October 2018.