The Measles Outbreak

According to the CDC, the number of Measles cases this year is 940. Twenty six states have recorded cases of Measles. The year is not even half over. What is just as disconcerting is the fact that Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. So, what happened? This is not an easy answer but a multi causal event that equates to a perfect storm.

Measles is highly infectious. The symptoms initially start as a common cold, we call the 3 C's in healthcare. The C's stand for cough, conjunctivitis and coryza (runny nose). The problem with Measles is the ease of transmission. This virus can actually live and circulate in room air for up to 2 hours. Now, let us add to this epidemiological triad people, who are high risk for the illness. The immune suppressed person can include cancer patients receiving chemo therapy, transplant patients, HIV/AIDS patients, infants and people on high dose steroids. Notice, I did not write elderly because it is believed that people, who were born before 1957, have already been exposed to measles and are immune ( CDC, 2019).

The people who are also likely to suffer with more severe complications related to Measles infections are children less than 5 years of age, infants, pregnant women, people over 20 years of age and the immune-compromised (Pavia, 2019). In order for an outbreak to occur in a community, the immunization rate must fall less than 95%. This has happened in New York, especially Rockland County with 250 cases and New York City with 478 cases this year alone (NYC Health Dept., 2019). California has also had an outbreak in 2015.

What these communities have in common are the low vaccination rates. When communities are well vaccinated (above 95%) as in the case of Measles, those who are vaccinated actually protect the non vaccinated. Therefore, California changed the law and required its citizens to vaccinate their children. California draws people from all over the world. It is believed that many, who visited California, introduced more than just their tourist dollars into this community. Coupled with the fact that many people were against immunizations due to misconceptions and Hollywood icons on anti immunization campaigns led this community down the outbreak path.

In New York, It is believed that the outbreak stems from a low vaccine rate, tourism and communities that are not receptive to immunization. Consequently, if the Health Department identifies a person with measles or an unvaccinated child exposed to measles in certain ZIP codes,

that individual or their parent or guardian could be fined $1,000.

According to the NYC health department,"Most people who receive the MMR vaccine do not have any side effects. Some people experience mild side effects, such as fever, mild rash or
swelling. Severe problems are very rare. Vaccine ingredients do not cause autism. More than 25 articles have been published since 1999 that have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as no link between the MMR
vaccine and ASD in children".

So why should you be concerned about what goes on in other communities? The best answer is that you are only 1 plane, bus or train ride from a local outbreak. It it so much better to prevent an illness than to treat an illness. This is an opportunity for our communities to learn from NY and California mistakes and become proactive. Please immunize your child and help safe guard your community. Remember, knowledge is power. Stay well.