The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a health advisory in response to rising measles cases in the U.S.
As of Feb. 27, a total of 164 measles cases were reported by nine jurisdictions.
The U.S. recently recorded its first measles death in a decade. The pediatric death occurred in Texas and marks the state’s largest measles outbreak in 30 years.
Measles is one of the most contagious airborne diseases, despite the existence of a highly effective vaccine. The infection was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning for a year there was no continuous transmission of the disease. Measles infection rates have since climbed as, among other factors, vaccination rates among children have dropped below the CDC’s 95% target, a threshold for herd immunity.
Health care experts in northeast and central Wisconsin are watching for signs of the infection in patients. Nathan Nobbe, ThedaCare’s director of infection prevention-north region, is concerned about the outbreak, as well as declining measles immunization rates among children.
“As an organization dedicated to improving community health, ThedaCare continues to encourage vaccination against measles and other similarly communicable diseases,” he said. “Immunization is the simplest course of action we can take to prevent or at least significantly slow the spread of infections like measles.”
Measles is an extremely infectious and potentially severe rash illness. The virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air. According to the CDC, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person will also become infected if not already immune.
Measles can cause serious health issues, especially in children younger than 5.
“An estimated, one in five children diagnosed with measles will end up hospitalized,” Nobbe said. “In the most severe cases, a measles infection can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness and death. This is a virulent infection to be taken seriously.”
Symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after becoming infected. Most common symptoms include a high fever that may spike to more than 104 degrees; cough; runny nose; red rash that breaks out, head to toe; small raised white spots on top of the red rash; red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis); and white spots that may appear inside the mouth
“Measles is caused by a virus, so there’s no antibiotic or specific medical treatment for it. The virus simply has to run its course,” Nobbe said. “An infected child should stay hydrated, get lots of rest and stay home. It’s also strongly advised that a child or an adult with measles should avoid groups or gatherings to help curb the spread.”
Protection from measles infection begins with immunization, health organizations nationwide have said.
For most children, measles protection is part of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine given when they’re 12-15 months old and again when they’re 4-6 years old. The first vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months old if they will be traveling internationally.
“About 95% of people achieve immunity with their first vaccine, and the rest develop immunity the second time they’re vaccinated,” Nobbe said. “Immunity usually lasts a lifetime.”
Nobbe echoed the CDC’s stance that declining measles vaccination rates among children are allowing the disease a new foothold.
The CDC targets a 95% MMR vaccination rate among kindergarten children, an amount the nation reached during the 2019-20 school year. The following year the rate slipped to 94%. During the 2022-23 school year, it was 93%.
In some Wisconsin counties, the numbers are even lower, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In Oconto County, the vaccination rate is 79%, while Menominee County sits at 75% and Shawano County 71%.
“The current measles outbreak is another reminder for area parents and families to make sure they and their children are up to date on recommended immunizations,” Nobbe said. “We cannot stress this enough – vaccination is the most effective preventative strategy in avoiding the measles. As always, connect with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about measles or other infectious illnesses.”
Categories
