Unaware he had measles, a man traveled from New York to Michigan, infecting 39 people
A woman passes a Williamsburg, N.Y., health clinic where measles shots are being administered after New York City declared a public health emergency. By Lena H. Sun Lena H. Sun National reporter focusing on health Email Bio Follow April 15 at 7:57 PM Last month, a traveler raising money for charity in Brooklyn’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community drove through the night to Detroit — his next fundraising stop. He felt sick en route and saw a doctor when he got there.
In the current outbreak, the New York contagion has spread through Patient Zero and other travelers to predominantly ultra-Orthodox communities in Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York; Oakland County in Michigan, and Baltimore County in Maryland. On Friday, Connecticut officials said an adult contracted measles while visiting Brooklyn in late March. New Jersey officials are investigating possible links between 11 cases in the Ocean County area and those in New York.
They turned to Steve McGraw, head of Oakland emergency medical services and longtime member of the Detroit-area Hatzalah, the ultra-Orthodox community’s emergency medical response group, an all-volunteer effort with deep ties to many families. McGraw alerted rabbinical leaders, then jumped in his car and drove to the area the traveler was supposed to be staying to look for the man’s rental car, a blue sedan, knowing it would stand out among the minivans used by virtually every family.
“This guy was walking around all over the community and contagious,” McGraw said. “We knew we had a really significant exposure.” Over the next few weeks, Janet Snider, a pediatrician for many ultra-Orthodox families, and Gedalya Cooper, an emergency medicine doctor, both members of the Hatzalah, visited people in their homes to diagnose and test them for measles.
In Michigan, at least, the close coordination between health officials and the religious community appears to have controlled the spread of the disease, which can cause severe complications including deafness, pneumonia, brain damage and death.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
39 Gentle Skincare Products People Swear By For Clear And Happy Skin'Your royal highness, I present to you these products for your approval.' —me talking to my easily irritated skin
Read more »
Born between 1957-1989? You may not be protected from measles outbreakCheck yourself, public health officials say, as the number of cases in a Michigan measles outbreak climbed Friday by five more people to 39 cases.
Read more »
Lakers, head coach Luke Walton 'mutually agree' to part waysLuke Walton had a 98-148 record during his three seasons on the sidelines for the Los Angeles Lakers, missing the playoffs each year.
Read more »
Man convicted in Chinatown double murder in L.A. faces life in prisonAfter deliberating for 1 1/2 hours, the jury convicted Vinh Dao of two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstance, making him eligible for the death penalty, which prosecutors did not seek.
Read more »
Avianca Brasil to fly from airport that had required upfront paymentStruggling carrier Avianca Brasil will be able to fly on Friday from Brazil&039...
Read more »
As parents consider new streaming services, is there too much children's programming?Whether they prefer Elsa, SpongeBob or a Russian heroine named Masha, today&039...
Read more »
London threatening San Francisco's fintech unicorn dominance, research saysCompanies based in London secured 39% of all European fintech funding last year, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Read more »
Finnish Social Democrat leader Rinne declares victory in electionFinnish Social Democrat leader Rinne vows to focus on climate and social policies after election results indicated his party won the most seats in parliament
Read more »
Woman scammed immigrants out of $110,000 in home-buying scheme, police sayA 39-year-old woman accused of scamming immigrants out of more than $110,000 in a home-buying scheme that lasted more than a year was arrested last week in Fresno, police said.
Read more »