NYC board of health issued a warning to all doctors in regard to the measles outbreak in New York among the Orthodox Community. The not uncommon practice among some in the Frum Community of refusing vaccines seems to have caused the normally rare measles illness to spread easily through a very insular community. it could easily spread to Lakewood so please make sure your children are up to date on vaccinations. For your child's safety, and for the safety of others. There is no religious exemption to put children in danger.
Dear Colleague,
The measles outbreak in Brooklyn is continuing to grow. To date, there have been 34 confirmed cases, including 27 in Borough Park and 7 in Williamsburg. Additional suspected cases are being investigated. All cases are part of the Orthodox Jewish community and were unvaccinated at the time of exposure, including 5 cases too young to have been vaccinated, 23 cases who refused vaccine, and 6 cases whose vaccines were delayed. Cases range in age from 0 to 32 years (median 7 years), including 5 infants, 21 children, and 8 adults. Complications have included pneumonia, a miscarriage, and two hospitalizations. Measles is highly contagious. We have identified over 700 people who have been exposed, predominantly in health-care settings. Home isolation is required for up to 21 days for exposed persons without evidence of immunity to prevent further exposures. To interrupt the spread of measles in your community, we ask for your assistance regarding reporting, isolation, prophylaxis, te sting, and vaccination.
Reporting
Report any suspected measles case with generalized rash and fever to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) immediately. Do not wait for laboratory testing to report. Delays in reporting have resulted in missed opportunities to prevent disease using post-exposure prophylaxis. To report, call 347-396-2402 (weekdays 9-5pm) or 212-764-7667 (after hours and weekends).
Isolation
Place suspected cases immediately in an airborne isolation room. Alternatively, see them at the end of the day after all other patients have left the office. Avoid having patients with rash in the waiting room. Post a sign outside your office notifying patients with rash to call before entering. If an airborne isolation room is not available, place a mask on the patient, and don’t use the exam room for up to two hours. Tell suspected cases to stay home while contagious, until day five after rash onset.
Post-exposure Prophylaxis
If a suspected exposure occurs in your office, offer the 1st or 2nd dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours to everyone aged 6 months and older who was in your office through two hours after the suspected case left and who does not have a contraindication to vaccine. Do not delay MMR if immunization records are not readily available; there is no harm to giving an extra dose to someone who is fully vaccinated. Wait at least 28 days between doses of MMR. Exposed staff without evidence of immunity should be furloughed from days 5 through 21 after exposure, regardless of receipt of post-exposure prophylaxis.
Immune globulin should be given as soon as possible to susceptible individuals exposed to measles who are at high-risk for complications: infants aged <6 months, infants aged 6 - 12 months who do not receive MMR within 72 hours, immunocompromised persons, and pregnant women who are not immune to measles. Immune globulin must be given within 6 days of exposure to prevent or modify measles.
Laboratory Testing
Collect blood for measles IgM and IgG and nasopharyngeal swabs for PCR testing of suspected cases. DOHMH will pick up and test specimens. Synthetic (non-cotton) swabs and liquid viral transport media can be purchased from commercial laboratories. These are the same kits used for influenza testing. DOHMH can also provide kits as needed, while waiting for your supply. Do not send specimens to a commercial lab for testing as this will only delay the diagnosis and delay outbreak control measures.
Timely vaccination
Ensure patients are up to date with their 1st dose of MMR at age 12 months and 2nd dose at age 4 to 6 years. Administer immunizations at the start of recommended interval. Do not delay. For assistance generating recall letters for patients not up to date with MMR or for assistance ordering MMR vaccine, call 347-396-2400. Children aged 6 to 11 months who will be travelling internationally should receive a dose of MMR before travel, although this dose does not count towards completion of the routine schedule. Ensure all healthcare staff have two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine or a positive measles IgG titer.
Please call DOHMH if you have questions at 347-396-2402 (weekdays 9-5pm) or 212-764-7667 (after hours and weekends). Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Rosen, MD
Director, Epidemiology and Surveillance
Bureau of Immunization
NYC DOHMH
Jane Zucker, MD, MSc
Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Immunization
NYC DOHMH
Dear Colleague,
The measles outbreak in Brooklyn is continuing to grow. To date, there have been 34 confirmed cases, including 27 in Borough Park and 7 in Williamsburg. Additional suspected cases are being investigated. All cases are part of the Orthodox Jewish community and were unvaccinated at the time of exposure, including 5 cases too young to have been vaccinated, 23 cases who refused vaccine, and 6 cases whose vaccines were delayed. Cases range in age from 0 to 32 years (median 7 years), including 5 infants, 21 children, and 8 adults. Complications have included pneumonia, a miscarriage, and two hospitalizations. Measles is highly contagious. We have identified over 700 people who have been exposed, predominantly in health-care settings. Home isolation is required for up to 21 days for exposed persons without evidence of immunity to prevent further exposures. To interrupt the spread of measles in your community, we ask for your assistance regarding reporting, isolation, prophylaxis, te sting, and vaccination.
Reporting
Report any suspected measles case with generalized rash and fever to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) immediately. Do not wait for laboratory testing to report. Delays in reporting have resulted in missed opportunities to prevent disease using post-exposure prophylaxis. To report, call 347-396-2402 (weekdays 9-5pm) or 212-764-7667 (after hours and weekends).
Isolation
Place suspected cases immediately in an airborne isolation room. Alternatively, see them at the end of the day after all other patients have left the office. Avoid having patients with rash in the waiting room. Post a sign outside your office notifying patients with rash to call before entering. If an airborne isolation room is not available, place a mask on the patient, and don’t use the exam room for up to two hours. Tell suspected cases to stay home while contagious, until day five after rash onset.
Post-exposure Prophylaxis
If a suspected exposure occurs in your office, offer the 1st or 2nd dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours to everyone aged 6 months and older who was in your office through two hours after the suspected case left and who does not have a contraindication to vaccine. Do not delay MMR if immunization records are not readily available; there is no harm to giving an extra dose to someone who is fully vaccinated. Wait at least 28 days between doses of MMR. Exposed staff without evidence of immunity should be furloughed from days 5 through 21 after exposure, regardless of receipt of post-exposure prophylaxis.
Immune globulin should be given as soon as possible to susceptible individuals exposed to measles who are at high-risk for complications: infants aged <6 months, infants aged 6 - 12 months who do not receive MMR within 72 hours, immunocompromised persons, and pregnant women who are not immune to measles. Immune globulin must be given within 6 days of exposure to prevent or modify measles.
Laboratory Testing
Collect blood for measles IgM and IgG and nasopharyngeal swabs for PCR testing of suspected cases. DOHMH will pick up and test specimens. Synthetic (non-cotton) swabs and liquid viral transport media can be purchased from commercial laboratories. These are the same kits used for influenza testing. DOHMH can also provide kits as needed, while waiting for your supply. Do not send specimens to a commercial lab for testing as this will only delay the diagnosis and delay outbreak control measures.
Timely vaccination
Ensure patients are up to date with their 1st dose of MMR at age 12 months and 2nd dose at age 4 to 6 years. Administer immunizations at the start of recommended interval. Do not delay. For assistance generating recall letters for patients not up to date with MMR or for assistance ordering MMR vaccine, call 347-396-2400. Children aged 6 to 11 months who will be travelling internationally should receive a dose of MMR before travel, although this dose does not count towards completion of the routine schedule. Ensure all healthcare staff have two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine or a positive measles IgG titer.
Please call DOHMH if you have questions at 347-396-2402 (weekdays 9-5pm) or 212-764-7667 (after hours and weekends). Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Rosen, MD
Director, Epidemiology and Surveillance
Bureau of Immunization
NYC DOHMH
Jane Zucker, MD, MSc
Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Immunization
NYC DOHMH
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