Public health emergency declared due to measles outbreak in NYC

A public health emergency was declared in New York City on Tuesday as it ramped up the battle against the spread of a measles outbreak in a Brooklyn hot spot. Calling for mandatory vaccinations, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the emergency covers four Brooklyn ZIP codes, including most of Williamsburg and Borough Park, which have seen more than 285 cases of the measles since October. The order mandates that all unimmunized children and adults living or working in the area must receive vaccinations unless they can prove that a medical exemption applies. Those who do not comply could be guilty of misdemeanor violations and incur fines.