measles

A total of four unvaccinated residents have tested positive for the virus in Tioga, Steuben and Otsego counties. Cases have also been reported in Seneca, Madison and Allegany counties.

The cases come less than a week after a resident in Tioga County tested positive for measles.

The public health department of Tioga County, NY conducted contact tracing after an unvaccinated resident tested positive for measles.

New research is showing signs that a measles infection can produce what specialists call “immune amnesia.”

Health officials are "actively engaging the Mennonite community to discuss the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill passed by the Legislature Thursday, amid a "health crisis." The measure also eliminates other nonmedical exemptions for schoolchildren.

CDC officials warned that if the current rate of outbreaks continues, the virus may lose its status as eliminated in the U.S.

"Then, it was people who couldn't get access to health care. Now it's this cultlike atmosphere of people who are refusing to immunize."

Lawmakers say the current law, which allows a child to skip vaccinations because of religious reasons, is creating too big a loophole and leading to what they say is a growing health crisis.

There are 695 cases in 22 states. HHS Secretary Alex Azar said the spike was "avoidable" and he called measles vaccines "among the most extensively studied medical products we have."