Measles threatens airports

In recent weeks, many reports have suggested that measles outbreaks occur at US airports. Although epidemics can be alarming, it's mostly paranoia rather than fact.

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Latest outbreaks

I had ignored the headlines for weeks until a newspaper for my home airport met my news feed right after landing in Pittsburgh. Another from Newark the same day (it was perhaps the arrival before the connection to Pittsburgh) was reported. Another case at LAX close to others describes the dates and times of potential exposure, the third exposure to LAX in recent months.

At least one flight attendant became seriously ill as a result of the listed outbreaks. She had been in a coma for ten days and doctors are still hoping for a full recovery, but some damage may be lasting. The contraction of the disease is serious, dangerous and has affected the traveling community.

Overseas travelers

In the Pittsburgh and Newark incidents, the affected parties were foreign visitors to the United States and had probably caused the disease. It is estimated that the number of foreign visitors to the United States this year is around 81 million, an average of more than 220,000 each day.

Although some may consider this to be part of the recent American "anti-vaxxers" movement (those who choose not to vaccinate themselves or their children for reasons related to vaccine ingredients or effects potential secondary), the recent case cited above came from outside the country. However, those who do not have the vaccine, anywhere, are at risk of getting measles if they were exposed to these places. Unvaccinated parts that come into contact with the disease have a 90% chance of being infected.

Incidents are isolated and statistically nominal

As this year promises to be the highest year of measles infection in recent history, its reach remains isolated. Even with 557 cases for the year, it is still far from the widespread panic that "Airport Measole Outbreak" publications have created a winning column space and a Facebook group tradition across the country. In fact, according to the CDC, the last reported death before 2019 (only one case) was in 2015 – another single death.

As you can see, the cases have been relatively small, but fluctuate from year to year, with record years in 2014 and this year.

Vaccination reduces risks

Despite the fact that most Americans are vaccinated, some by choice have chosen not to vaccinate themselves or their children. Some come from countries where this practice is less widespread. The measles vaccine, the MMR vaccine, is 88-97% effective, depending on the amount and timing of dosing, and whether it is for measles, mumps or rubella.

"Measles is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with an infected person will catch the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two-dose measles vaccine is 97% effective against the virus, according to the CDC. "

In addition, if you contract the disease, survival rates are very high, especially in the United States. This is not an epidemic.

Conclusion

Regardless of the issue of vaccination, a very controversial issue in the United States lately, the Measles outbreak at the airport indignation is a bit more than paranoia. The cases are high but not catastrophically superior to the peaks of previous cycles. Most of the reported cases have been successfully treated and deaths related to the disease in the United States remain extremely rare.

What do you think? Does the media react out of proportion to measles cases among people who have passed through airports? On the contrary, is it so serious that the answer is justified? Should the coverage be somewhere in between?

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