NEW CITY - As the measles outbreak infected over 40 people with 11 more suspected cases on tap, Rockland's health commissioner on Wednesday ordered all unvaccinated students in private schools in New Square, Monsey and Spring Valley to stay home from classes.

The most recent update was 43 cases, the county health department said at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert's order targets the areas effective Nov. 5 where most of the original exposure infiltrated Monsey and New Square from visitors from Israel in late September. The measles carriers also visited additional locations in Nanuet, New City and Montvale, New Jersey, according to the New York state Health Department.

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The 25 schools targeted — with more than 1,000 students — have under a 70 percent vaccination rate and students must remain home for 21 days after the last confirmed measles case. Ruppert said the schools know where they stand since administrations must report vaccinations to the state.

She said the outbreak could last for months as new cases are uncovered, though records indicated Rockland's immunization rate tops 90 percent.

"We consider all of Rockland potentially exposed," Ruppert said during a news conference at the county health complex on Wednesday. "I've been asking everybody who lives and works in Rockland to check into their immunization."

Since the outbreak started at the end of September, an estimated 2,100 people in Rockland have received the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (known as MMR), mostly from the Refuah health center in New Square and the health department, officials said.

Measles can become deadly. The symptoms include fever, a cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash. People are infectious four days before and after the appearance of the rash and symptoms usually appear about 12 days after exposure. A non-immunized person can catch measles up to two hours after someone with the disease has left the room.

Ruppert said Wednesday that she spoke with rabbis and she's been assured there's no religious prohibition on vaccinations.

“I have met with the rabbis and I have asked them directly if there is a religious reason why people should not be vaccinated and the answer was no," she said. "We have asked them to also speak to their community members as well."

Ruppert said health officials are working with the people who don't know about being vaccinated "because they don’t understand or they are very adamant about not getting any vaccinations."

She debunked the false science that claims vaccinations are unhealthy.

"But to be clear the MMR vaccine does not cause developmental delay, it does not cause a child to walk late, it does not cause autism," she said. "That has all been disproved.”

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Rockland Health Department: Keep unvaccinated students at home

Ruppert ordered that non-immunized children who attend schools with students who tested positive for measles need to stay home 21 days from the last known exposure. For some students, that is Nov. 3, but there are others who will have to stay home even longer if they are not immunized, and those dates change as more cases are discovered.

The county in an Oct. 18 letter to schools ordered that students with confirmed cases of measles and those not vaccinated or under-vaccinated be kept home.

Residents should get two doses of the vaccine, and children under 4 only need one but can safely get the second dose in case of an outbreak.

You are considered immune:

• If you were born before 1957.

• If you received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• If a physician confirmed that you are immune.

• If a physician can confirm measles.

Everyone should check their immunization records or contact their health care providers if they are unsure, officials said. Anyone who suspects they have the measles should call before going in to minimize the risk of exposure to others.

For more questions about measles or whether the order affects your child's school, call the New York State Department of Health toll free at 888-364-4837.

Vaccine clinics announced

The Rockland Health Department will be holding measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine clinics on:

Nov. 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Outreach Center, 21 Remsen Ave., Suite 201, Monsey

Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Outreach Center, located at 21 Remsen Avenue, Suite 201, Monsey

Nov. 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Mobile Van- Upper Parking Lot, located at 728 North Main St., Spring Valley, hosted by Refuah Health Center

Nov. 5, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Yeager Health Center, Building 50, at 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona

Nov. 6, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Darden Center, Dr. Berg Lane, Spring Valley

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