The cost of the worst measles epidemic of this century

The United States is currently grappling with the most serious measles outbreak of the century – the CDC estimates to nearly 700 the number of cases this year, and we are only in April – and without end, the economic cost highly infectious and potentially lethal virus continues to increase.

"This is expensive for the public health system," FOX Business told Dr. Nate Smith, director and health officer of the State Department of Arkansas Health. "Real costs are not all financial, however, and they are borne by individuals and families."

Although Arkansas has not had measles cases confirmed so far this year, Mr Smith said the state had carefully analyzed a case in 2018 to determine how much it cost the health department. The result? An incredible amount of $ 47,962.

Smith, who is also co-chair of the Infectious Disease Policy Committee of the State and Territorial Health Authority, pointed out that each case and outbreak is unique – and, therefore, costly. "It's not uniform for one case – he said An amount of $ 50,000 is" fairly consistent "across the United States (according to a report published in the medical journal Vaccine). Extrapolating this number for the 695 confirmed cases in 22 states, the total economic cost is around $ 30 million.

Measles can cause fever, coughs and rashes, but also blindness and permanent neurological problems, said Smith, stressing the importance of "safe and highly effective vaccine". About one in 1,000 will die.

"And honestly," he says, "you can vaccinate a lot of people for $ 48,000."

Other estimates vary in overall costs: a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in January found that investigating two non-Denver-related measles cases cost the local health service about $ 70,000.

The reason why measles is so expensive? It's incredibly contagious.

According to Smith, about 90% of those exposed to measles will be infected if they are not immunized or vaccinated. In addition to the great communicability, the virus stays in the air from one room up to 21 days. For the health departments, this means investigating many potential cases of measles, and tracking the person throughout the incubation period to make sure they are not sick or spreading the virus.

"There are not many infections that have this high level of communicability," Smith said.

For health departments to cope with epidemics, they must also pool their resources, often diverting their energy from daily activities to focus on measles, said Kevin Sumner, chair of the Regional Health Commission. from Middle Brook to New Jersey. Sumner also serves on the board of directors of the National Association of County and City Health Officers.

Outbreaks are also becoming more frequent due to lower vaccination rates. According to the World Health Organization, the 93% to 95% threshold is required for collective immunity, the point at which the entire community is protected from the virus. (In 2000, the United States had thus completely eradicated measles.) At present, Sumner told FOX Business that the United States was in the 70% range. And combined with lifestyle changes such as travel, the disease is transmitted more easily.

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"These are expensive epidemics that can be avoided," Sumner said. "And above all, prevention can be achieved through vaccination."