Did You Know that measles is one of the most preventable contagious diseases ever known and is a cause of death and disability among young children worldwide? It’s a respiratory virus that will infect anyone who is not protected. According to the CDC, it is so contagious that if one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people around them will also become infected if they are not vaccinated. 

Breaking News. As of February 15, 2024, measles cases were reported by 11 states: Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The most recent outbreaks are in the Broward County School District in Florida. 

On February 20, 2024, the World Health Organization sounded an alarm about the rapid spread of measles. Last year, more than 306,000 cases were reported worldwide, a 79 per cent increase from 2022 with more than half of all countries globally at high risk of outbreaks by the end of 2024. Some 142 million children are estimated to be susceptible.  

Why is this happening? During the pandemic, millions of children missed getting childhood vaccines, including the measles vaccine. Since then, there have been disruptive outbreaks around the world. Surveillance is not great, so it’s likely higher. 

What is Measles? Measles is a virus that usually causes a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes between seven and 14 days after exposure. Three to five days after symptoms begin, the rash appears, often as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and then spreads downward. When the rash starts, a fever may spike to greater than 104° F. 

Measles is especially dangerous for children under 5, babies, women who are pregnant, or those with HIV. The infection can lead to pneumonia and swelling of the brain. As many as one in 20 children who get measles get pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death for children who contract the infection. 

Prevention. Measles is almost entirely preventable by receiving the MMR vaccine. The vaccine has been around for over 50 years. MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella. The vaccine that has prevented 57 million deaths since 2000. It is still considered an eliminated disease in the US, but it won’t stay that way if we stop being vigilant. At least 95% of children need to be fully vaccinated against the disease in a locality to prevent outbreaks, but global vaccination rates have slipped to 83%. Immunization has improved, but the levels have not reached the required 95%. 

Recommendations. The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose when they are 12 to 15 months old, and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old. It’s worth a double check to see if you and your child are adequately immunized. ViaroCare can find out if you or your Childrens' vaccinations are adequate, or by accessing the Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa Immunization Registries. Want to know more? Visit the CDC. There’s no room for doubt with measles. 

Teresa Pulvermacher, RN, MSN, FNP-C 

President, ViaroHealth 

For questions or comments, please contact wellness@viarohealth.com.