New York City declares public health emergency, orders mandatory vaccines amid measles outbreak

April 9, 2019 at 12:07 p.m. | Updated April 9, 2019 at 12:07 p.m.

by Associated Press

This Wednesday, March 27, 2019, file photo shows a sign explaining the local state of emergency because of a measles outbreak at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It's so contagious that 90 percent of people who aren't immunized are infected if exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
This Wednesday, March 27, 2019, file photo shows a sign explaining the local state of emergency because of a measles outbreak at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It's so contagious that 90 percent of people who aren't immunized are infected if exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City has declared a public health emergency over a measles outbreak and ordered mandatory vaccinations for some people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the order Tuesday. It covers people who live in four ZIP codes in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, where more than 250 people have gotten measles since September.

The declaration requires all unvaccinated people in those areas who may have been exposed to the virus to get the vaccine, including children over 6 months old.

People who resist could be fined $1,000.

The outbreak has been centered in Williamsburg's large community of Orthodox Jews.

Earlier this week, the city ordered religious schools and day care programs serving that community to exclude unvaccinated students or risk being closed down.

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