You’ve Seen The Headlines: Measles Could be Just Around the Corner.

Are You and Your Family Protected?

With measles cases currently increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S., the Garrett County Health Department urges all Garrett County residents to know their immunization status and get vaccinated if needed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 626 cases in the United States from January 1 to April 19 this year. New York City has declared a public health emergency due to over 250 cases since January.  Washington, California, and New Jersey have also had outbreaks.  Eleven other states have reported recent cases, and Maryland has reported an official outbreak of measles in the Pikesville area (near Baltimore) that started April 5th. 

Measles was virtually eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 thanks to a highly effective vaccination program, but it is still common in many parts of the world. Worldwide, an estimated 20 million people get the illness, and around 146,000 (mostly children) die each year.  Falling vaccination rates, along with international travel by unvaccinated Americans may be the reason for the current upsurge of measles being experienced in the U.S.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the measles virus. Symptoms may include high fever, a rash that starts on the face and neck and spreads, runny nose, red eyes, and small, white-centered spots inside the mouth. The virus is spread when the infected person coughs or sneezes, and it can remain contagious on hard surfaces for up to 2 hours.   Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after an exposure, but usually show up within 7 or 8 days.  Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, deafness, encephalitis, seizures, and death.  Children younger than 5 years and adults 20 and older are more at risk for complications.

Licensed in the early 1970’s, the MMR vaccine can prevent a measles infection.  

Two doses are recommended for children, starting at 12 to 15 months of age and a 2^nd dose at age 4 to 6.  The 2^nd dose is required for all Maryland school children by age 5.  Women should not receive the vaccine during pregnancy or plan to get pregnant within 4 weeks after getting the vaccine.  Adults who are unsure or have no written documentation of MMR vaccine should talk with their doctor and consider receiving vaccine. People born before 1957 have most likely been infected with measles as a child and have natural immunity. Complete vaccine recommendations can be found at  https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html

Some people may worry about the safety of MMR vaccine. Vaccines are among the most thoroughly tested medical products and go through strict and lengthy safety and effectiveness scrutiny.  The Food and Drug Administration must approve all vaccines before they are released.  MMR vaccine has a proven safety record and serious adverse reactions are extremely rare. Parents who still have concerns should discuss this with their doctor and seek out credible, reliable scientific information.

For more information on measles or the vaccine, you may call the Garrett County Health Department at 301 334-7770 or 301 895-5355.