The ongoing measles outbreak is raising alarms as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that 107 cases have been confirmed this year in 21 states and the District of Columbia. With only August upon us, this figure is already approaching the total of 115 cases reported across 15 states in all of 2017. Given these numbers, we might be looking at a significant surge in measles cases before the year concludes.
Measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can manifest as a high fever, red eyes, a full-body rash, and a stuffy nose, typically resolving within a couple of weeks. However, it is crucial to note that for every 1,000 children who contract measles, one or two may die, as reported by the CDC.
The 107 cases recorded up until July 14 have been identified in states including Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and the District of Columbia. While this mid-year total is concerning compared to recent years, it’s still far from the 667 cases seen in 2014, a year notably marked by a single outbreak that accounted for 338 of those cases.
The critical takeaway here is the importance of vaccinating everyone who is medically eligible to prevent large outbreaks. Areas with clusters of unvaccinated individuals are experiencing the most severe outbreaks. The CDC emphasizes that most individuals who contract measles have not been vaccinated.
Measles remains prevalent in regions such as Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa, and travelers can inadvertently bring the virus back to the U.S., where it spreads readily in communities with low vaccination rates. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, with one dose offering 93% protection for vaccinated individuals exposed to the virus. A second dose boosts that effectiveness to 97%. The CDC recommends that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages four and six.
According to the World Health Organization, measles is one of the deadliest childhood diseases globally, claiming the lives of 450 children every day. Infants who are unvaccinated are especially at risk, highlighting the necessity of herd immunity to safeguard those who cannot be vaccinated. Without widespread vaccination, outbreaks are likely to continue, potentially worsening over time.
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In summary, the rise in measles cases underscores the critical need for vaccination to protect both individual and community health. With the disease still circulating globally, education and proactive measures are essential to prevent outbreaks.