Measles Cases Surge in the US as Vaccination Rates Hit Record Lows, CDC Reports
Measles, a disease that was once believed to be eradicated, is making a dangerous comeback in the United States. Georgia recently confirmed its first case of measles in nearly four years, joining four other states that have reported cases this year. Delaware, Washington State, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have all seen outbreaks of the highly contagious virus. Experts fear that this is just the beginning, with more cases expected to arise throughout 2024.
The resurgence of measles is closely tied to declining vaccination rates among children, who are at the highest risk of contracting the illness. Nationwide, nearly 4 percent of children entering kindergarten were unvaccinated against the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is the lowest vaccination rate since the 2013-14 school year, and it raises concerns about the potential for a wave of preventable deaths.
While last year’s measles cases were lower than in previous years, the fact that regular outbreaks are still occurring in America is worrisome for health officials. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and FDA vaccine regulator Dr. Peter Marks have expressed their concerns, stating that “thousands of excess deaths are likely to occur this season due to illnesses amenable to prevention.”
Measles was declared eliminated in 2000 thanks to the highly effective MMR vaccine. However, the rise of the anti-vax movement and declining rates of childhood vaccinations have allowed the disease to resurface. Dr. Peter Hotez, a preeminent vaccine expert, warns that there are pockets in the United States where vaccination efforts are falling short. He believes that this trend has been worsening over the years.
The United Kingdom is also facing a surge in measles cases and low vaccination rates. Health officials fear that the world is on track for its worst outbreak yet. In the UK, as few as half of children have received both doses of the MMR vaccine in certain areas. This alarming trend has prompted a national “call to action” by health chiefs, urging parents to check their child’s immunization status.
The decline in vaccination rates is not limited to the US and the UK. The rate of children and their parents requesting exemptions from vaccines is increasing to record levels. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the average exemption rate reached three percent in the 2022-2023 school year, with 10 states reporting exemptions exceeding five percent.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets. It can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Symptoms typically appear between seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and include high fever, red rash, cough, fatigue, and watery eyes. In severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling.
Children who contract measles are at risk of serious complications, with one in five ending up in the hospital and one in 15 developing complications like meningitis or sepsis. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it. The disease can also cause pneumonia, which is the most frequent cause of death in young children with measles. Brain swelling, or encephalitis, is another potential complication that can result in convulsions and long-term consequences such as deafness or intellectual disability.
The decline in childhood inoculations can be attributed to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first year of the pandemic, visits to doctors were limited to urgent cases, leading to a decrease in well-visits and check-ups. Although schools reopened in 2021, school-age immunizations remained lower than usual. The percentage of American children entering kindergarten with their required immunizations was about 93 percent in the 2022-23 school year, below the recommended levels for herd immunity.
Herd immunity is crucial for protecting children who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons. It occurs when a high percentage of the population is immune to a contagious disease. With declining herd immunity, unvaccinated children are at a higher risk of contracting measles.
In conclusion, the resurgence of measles in the US and the UK is a cause for concern among health officials. Declining vaccination rates, fueled by the anti-vax movement and the COVID-19 pandemic, have allowed the disease to make a comeback. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe complications and even death. It is crucial for parents to ensure that their children are up to date on their vaccinations to protect them and the community from this preventable disease.
