Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the success of vaccination efforts. However, with subsequent outbreaks in 2018 and 2019, measles spread across the country in huge numbers. This year, we are seeing another major measles outbreak in the US, with over 453 cases spread across various states.
As of now, Texas has reported over 400 cases, New Mexico reported 44, and Oklahoma reported nine, with seven confirmed and two probable.
In a statement, WHO reported that the US outbreak is an “unusual event with potential significant public health impact.” The organisation further said, “Additionally, cases linked to the outbreak in the State of Texas, United States, have been reported in Mexico. Measles is a highly contagious, airborne viral disease that can lead to severe complications and death.” In areas where there is no outbreak, the disease is being spread by travellers, like the passenger on the Amtrak train who got diagnosed with measles in DC and may have affected others on the train.
Will vaccinated people also be affected?
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A resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, tested positive for measles after travelling to Texas, reported the state health department. However, since the person was vaccinated, they had a “relatively mild infection.”
If you’ve gotten the vaccine, “it would be very unlikely you get severely infected. And that was true in the Bucks County case. It was a mild case,” said Dr Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital.
What are the symptoms of measles?
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Measles is a viral disease mostly detected in children or unvaccinated adults. It spreads through the air by the respiratory droplets produced from the coughing, sneezing or breathing of an infected person.
The symptoms of the disease usually take up to 10-14 days to develop and include red skin rash, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, and fever.
How to prevent catching measles?
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As per experts, the best way to prevent a measles diagnosis is to be vaccinated. One dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective against measles, with two doses being 97% effective.
Additional simple measures you can take are wearing masks when outside the house, using sanitisers to clean up before and after meeting someone, and essentially keeping yourself and your surroundings clean.
