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A measles outbreak is spreading in a county in Washington known for not choosing to vaccinate its children, and health officials have declared a public health emergency.
UNITED STATES TODAY & # 39; HUI
According to the CDC, a measles outbreak in Rockland County, New York, has forced authorities to declare emergency status during the sixth and largest outbreak in the United States this year.
New York County has identified 155 cases of measles since October, prompting health officials to ban under-18s and unimmunized measles victims from moving to public places. The ban will last 30 days or until the entire community is vaccinated.
Public places include shopping malls, restaurants, schools and places of worship. Outdoor gathering places, such as parks and public playgrounds, are not included.
Other outbreaks of measles – defined as three or more cases – have affected California, Illinois, Texas, Washington State and New York City. Clark County, Washington, recorded the second largest epidemic of the year, with 73 documented cases of measles.
On March 21, the CDC confirmed 314 individual cases of measles in 15 states. For the year 2018, there were 372 cases.
Here's what you need to know about measles and this epidemic:
What is measles? What are the symptoms?
Measles is an extremely contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads by air.
Infected persons develop a red-speckled rash that begins in the mouth and spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include fevers up to 104 degrees, coughing, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
In this picture, a young child is presented with a classic measles rash after four days. (Photo: CDC photo)
Is that bad?
In 2017, about 110,000 people died from measles, mostly among children under the age of five, worldwide, according to the report. World Health Organization. Young children and adults over the age of 20 are more likely to have life-threatening measles complications.
According to one health official, up to one in 20 children infected with measles contract pneumonia, the leading cause of measles deaths in young children. One in 1,000 children with measles develops swelling of the brain that can lead to deafness or intellectual disability. Pregnant women with measles can give birth sooner or have a low birth weight baby.
Is there a cure?
There is no specific treatment available for measles.
Is it contagious?
Measles is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with an infected person will get the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus can persist in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted four days before and after the onset of symptoms.
More: Her son defies mother and chooses to be vaccinated at 18: "God knows how I'm still alive"
More: New York County bars children from non-vaccinated public places
What is the effectiveness of the vaccine?
The two-dose measles vaccine is 97% effective against the virus, according to the CDC.
How many people have been affected?
Public health officials in Rockland County identified 155 confirmed cases.
Children under one year old account for 15% of confirmed cases. Children aged 1 to 3 account for 23.8% of cases and children aged 4 to 18, 45.7%. Adults aged 19 or older represent 15.2% of the cases.
Of the 155 cases, 82.6% had not received measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, 9.7% had unknown status, and about 8% had one or two MMR vaccines.
Where are people infected?
The announcement of the outbreak comes shortly after county health officials announced the creation of six new exhibition sites, including stores, a supermarket, a bus loop, a local target, etc. These are the first outbreaks reported by authorities since Thanksgiving last year.
Why do not people vaccinate?
People who choose not to vaccinate have become a global threat to health in 2019, reported the World Health Organization. The CDC recognized that the number of children who had not been vaccinated before the age of 24 months was gradually increasing.
Some parents choose not to vaccinate because of the discredited belief that vaccines are linked to autism. The CDC said that there was no link and that there were no ingredients in vaccines that could cause autism.
Follow Marina Pitofsky and Ashley May on Twitter: @marina_pitofsky and @AshleyMayTweets
Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2019/03/27/measles-outbreak-rockland-county-new-york-what-know/3286414002/
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