- CDC warns of increased number of measles cases globally and in the US, reporting 23 confirmed cases since Dec 1st.
- UK declares “national incident” due to tens of thousands of measles infections, with the WHO European region seeing over 42,000 cases in 2022 compared to 942 the previous year.
- Measles vaccine highly recommended as measles is highly contagious, can lead to serious complications and weakens immune system. No specific treatment exists, and measles can cause fatal conditions like SSPE. Vaccination rates dropped due to fraudulent study linking measles vaccine to autism, study later retracted.
Additional Coverage:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning to healthcare providers about the increased number of measles cases, both globally and in the United States. The CDC has reported 23 confirmed cases of measles since December 1st, with seven cases being from international travelers and two outbreaks involving more than five cases each. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics have also reported ongoing measles outbreaks in their respective areas. Additional cases have been reported in Washington state, New Jersey, Georgia, and Virginia. Most of the recent U.S. cases have occurred in children who were not vaccinated.
The United Kingdom has declared a “national incident” due to tens of thousands of measles infections. The World Health Organization’s European region saw over 42,000 cases of measles last year, compared to only 942 cases the previous year. The UK’s Health Security Agency has urged parents to vaccinate their children and warned of the potential complications and hospitalizations associated with the disease. Globally, measles cases increased by 19% in 2022 and deaths by 43% compared to the previous year.
Health officials emphasize that the measles vaccine has a long record of safety and effectiveness. Measles is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous disease that can lead to complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, hearing loss, and death. Pregnant women are particularly at risk, and their babies can suffer from fetal demise, premature birth, or other complications if the mother contracts measles. Vaccination is strongly advised as the best protection against measles.
Measles is spread through airborne transmission and primarily affects children. The initial symptoms can resemble a common cold, but the fever is usually very high. Koplik spots, which are tiny white spots, can appear in the mouth a few days after symptoms start. A rash then develops, starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. Measles can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. The disease also weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of other severe infections.
There is no specific treatment for measles, and antiviral medications do not exist. However, medical providers may administer oral Vitamin A to improve outcomes. Measles can also cause a rare but fatal condition called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) years after infection. SSPE is progressive and has no cure, resulting in brain damage, coma, and death.
The measles vaccine is highly recommended and is administered in two doses, typically between 12-15 months of age and 4-6 years of age. If vaccination records are unavailable, a blood test can determine if immunity has been acquired. Individuals unsure about their vaccination status can choose to get vaccinated again, as repetition is safe. It is important to note that the measles vaccine does not cause autism, despite a disproven study that suggested a link between the two. Vaccination rates dropped following the publication of the fraudulent study, leading to a resurgence of measles cases. The paper was later retracted, and the author was found guilty of misconduct.