Measles Outbreak That Sickened 312 in Rockland Declared Over

Officials have announced an end to the measles outbreak that infected 312 people since last October in Rockland County in New York City’s northern suburbs.

The state Health Department says Tuesday that 42 days have passed with no new cases in Rockland. That’s the equivalent of two incubation periods and the timeframe when measles outbreaks are typically declared over.

The nation’s worst measles epidemic in 27 years emerged a year ago, with most of the cases centered in Jewish communities in Rockland and New York City.

Health officials administered nearly 30,000 measles vaccinations in Rockland County as part of efforts to stop the outbreak.

Over the summer, the state eliminated non-medical exemptions for measles vaccinations required for school children and tightened rules for granting medical exemptions.