A New York county has banned all unvaccinated children from public places, in the most draconian action yet to combat the United States’ increasing outbreaks of measles.
Measles was effectively eradicated in the US by 2000, but six outbreaks – defined as three or more cases – in five US states have been confirmed this year, believed to be owing to travellers returning from countries such as Israel and Ukraine, where large outbreaks are occurring.
Rockland County, a woody and undulating region of sprawling houses 30 miles northwest of New York City, has become the first district in the US to demand that all unvaccinated children be kept at home.
“Our goal is not to prosecute anyone,” said John…