Update on Measles

Good evening all,

Welcome back. Many of you read my page regularly during the Covid pandemic, and I thank you for that. It was a difficult time for all, and it was my intention to get good information to the community in a timely fashion. Feel free to share my posts.

This evening I'd like you to think a bit about measles (and I honestly can't believe I have to ask this of you).

Why talk about measles?

We are in the midst of a very serious measles outbreak, currently centered in west Texas. There have been over 300 reported cases (and likely many, many more unreported) and at least one death, perhaps two.

What is measles?

Measles is a disease caused by a virus. There are no medications that can treat a measles infection. Before the introduction of the vaccine, literally everyone caught it. Most people know that measles causes a rash. It also classically causes cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. But it's a lot more serious that the usual bugs kids get with similar symptoms.

Before a measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 around 500 people, mostly kids, died every year in the US from measles; nearly 50,000 were hospitalized; and many suffered from brain swelling leading to deafness or intellectual disabilities.

Measles is about the most infectious viral disease known. Despite this, we were able to eliminate it in the US in 2000 (in this case, "eliminate" means it was no longer spreading regularly, but only occurred in isolated outbreaks).

Now, I've heard people say (as they did during covid) that "500 deaths a year isn't that many". How many kids go to your child's elementary school? This would be the equivalent of two elementary schools full of little kids dying every year. The invention of the vaccine has changed the face of childhood in the US, making it far safer.

Why are we having this outbreak?

To prevent measles from settling into a community, the vaccine rate has to be at least 95%. There are some communities where, for various reasons often to do with culture, economics, or access to healthcare, these rates drop. Once they are below 95%, all it takes is a lit match--one infected person traveling into the community. Each person with measles can infect around a dozen others, so once you've lit the match, dousing the fire is very, very difficult.

What should I do?

If you were born before 1957 you are presumed to be immune.

If you were born between 1963 and 1967 you may want to consider a shot.

If you were born after 1967 and received the usual childhood vaccines, you're likely immune.

If you're planning international travel or travel to an outbreak area, you should consider getting a shot. If you wish, you can have lab testing to check for immunity first.

In my next post I'll address the often-stated falsehood that MMR vaccines are unsafe, and that measles can be prevented or treated through nutritional, vitamins, and other dubious therapies.

Stay well.

-pal