Rockland County today reported 180 confirmed cases of measles since the outbreak of the disease in October, representing a jump of seven cases within a day.

The Rockland County Health Department reported 173 confirmed cases of measles on Wednesday afternoon.

The county reports the total number of cases since the outbreak began; county Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert has declined to specify the number of active cases.

While the cases in Rockland have been mostly confined to the eastern Ramapo area, among people in the Orthodox Jewish community, officials have repeatedly warned that every person who is medically able should receive vaccination.

"Due to Rockland County's small geographic size, exposure to the measles may occur anywhere in Rockland," a statement from the county said.

County officials also notified the public Wednesday of more possible measles exposures in stores and in taxis. The respiratory virus can linger for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Possible exposure periods and their locations were:

April 4: 1:44 p.m. to 3:46 p.m., Spring Valley Drug Pharmacy,180 E. Central Ave., Spring Valley.

1:44 p.m. to 3:46 p.m., Spring Valley Drug Pharmacy,180 E. Central Ave., Spring Valley. April 4: 4:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Hudson Valley Radiology, 18 Squadron Blvd., New City.

4:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Hudson Valley Radiology, 18 Squadron Blvd., New City. April 5: 2:10 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Spring Valley Drug Pharmacy,180 E. Central Ave., Spring Valley.

The taxi exposures included:

April 4: 1 p.m. to 3:06 p.m., La Familia Taxi with travel from Refuah Health Center, 728 N. Main St., Spring Valley.

1 p.m. to 3:06 p.m., La Familia Taxi with travel from Refuah Health Center, 728 N. Main St., Spring Valley. April 4: 3:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., International Taxi with travel to Hudson Valley Radiology, 18 Squadron Blvd., New City.

3:50 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., International Taxi with travel to Hudson Valley Radiology, 18 Squadron Blvd., New City. April 4: 5:15 p.m. to 7:45 pm., International Taxi with travel from Hudson Valley Radiology, 18 Squadron Blvd., New City.

Meanwhile, Orange County health officials report that a March 31 measles exposure occurred at Woodbury Common.

People who believe they were present in these areas and could be at risk for measles are instructed to contact their health-care provider, and to call before going to any facility to seek care.

County Executive Ed Day had declared a state of emergency on March 26 that banned most unvaccinated children under age 18 from public indoor spaces. A judge halted the emergency order after a challenge by parents of unvaccinated children who attended a Chestnut Ridge nondenominational private school.

This week, Day said the county would seek to identify unvaccinated people who may have been exposed to the virus and compel them to stay home or face fines of up to $2,000. County officials have not yet explained how the enforcement would work.

New York City has declared a public health emergency that requires MMR vaccination for currently unvaccinateed people in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Those who do not vaccinate, or their parents, could be given a violation and a $1,000 fine. As of Tuesday, there had been 285 measles cases there since the fall.

Vaccine clinic Friday

Rockland County is offering free measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines

from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Monsey WIC office at 23 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 103, in Monsey.

Appointments for free MMR vaccines can also be made by calling the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2497 or 845-364-2520.

The Rockland County Department of Health Spring Valley Family Planning Clinic also provides MMR vaccines, by appointment to Family Planning patients. Call 845-364-2531 to schedule an appointment.

Get more information about measles at: