Rockland measles outbreak: Confirmed cases rise to 130

Rockland officials reported Friday that there are now 130 confirmed measles cases in the county, the total number since the outbreak of the highly contagious outbreak began in October.

On Tuesday, there were 124 cases. The county Health Department is also continuing to investigate an additional two suspected cases.

Most of the cases have affected the Orthodox Jewish community in Monsey, New Square and Spring Valley. But health officials have said the county's small scale means anyone not immunized is susceptible.

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Rockland health officials said last month that a lack of cooperation from a small number of people has made it more difficult to contain the measles outbreak.

Measles can be transmitted when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, the measles virus can be transmitted. The virus can linger in the air and on room surfaces for up to two hours.

Upwards of 14,000 people in Rockland have received the vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella from the county, private health providers and the Refuah Health Center since the outbreak began, health officials said.

In New Jersey, health authorities said an outbreak there ended in mid-January, with 33 cases in all. There's also been an ongoing outbreak in Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, Portland, Oregon, and Clark County in Washington state have identified measles cases as well, USA Today reported.