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The number of measles cases has exceeded 1,000 (1001) in the United States since January 1, according to a statement on June 5 from Health & Human Services (HHS) secretary Alex Azar.
The last time the annual number of measles cases was higher was 1992, with 2126 confirmed cases.
Key strategy to increase immunization
Azar emphasized the importance of immunization to prevent the spread of measles, particularly in the face of widespread misinformation among some groups and communities.
"The Department of Health and Human Services has been deeply committed to promoting the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, among worrying signs showing that there are pockets of under-vaccination in the country The thousandth case of a preventable disease such as measles is a disturbing reminder of how important it is that the work concerns the public health of the nation.
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside other HHS facilities, will continue their efforts to help local health departments and health care providers cope with this situation, with the ultimate goal of to put an end to the epidemic and the spread of misinformation about vaccines and to increase public confidence in vaccines to help all Americans lead a healthier life, to Preventable diseases by vaccination, "Azar said in a statement.
"We can not say enough," he added. "Vaccines are a safe and extremely effective public health tool, capable of preventing this disease and ending the current epidemic."
CDC using a multi-pronged approach
The CDC has established an Incident Management Structure within the National Vaccination and Respiratory Center to deal with measles outbreaks and to inform health care providers about the guidelines for recognition and control of measles. prevention of measles.
Efforts place special emphasis on areas of the United States where lack of vaccination has contributed to the spread of measles, such as Brooklyn, Queens and Rockland counties in New York, where a large number children of Orthodox Jewish communities are still not vaccinated.
In response to the current situation, the CDC has:
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Establishment of an incident management structure within the National Vaccination and Respiratory Center to deal with measles outbreaks;
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Strengthening guidelines for measles recognition and prevention among health care providers;
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Creation of a toolbox with medical resources regarding measles and vaccines and set up a plan to fight against vaccine hesitancy that corrects misinformation.
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We began to approach rabbinic, medical and camp badociations to disseminate information about vaccines that is easy to understand, consistent and reliable through reliable sources;
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Sent a field team to Rockland County, New York, to badist in case identification and contact tracing;
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Worked continuously with local communities to develop culturally appropriate ways to communicate resource information for affected New Yorkers;
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It conducted 73 air travel contact investigations to detect measles and located 1,500 people who had been exposed to measles while traveling since 1 January 2019; and
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Posted an immunization program officer in Albany, New York.
More information on who should receive the vaccine is available at https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/measles.
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