United States: The United States has been witnessing a surge of measles cases across different regions. The increase in the cases has raised concerns of various health experts, who have been trying to figure out the exact cause behind the sudden outbreaks.
Recently, the experts of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama outlined that the major cause behind the outbreaks is a lack of vaccination and people avoiding vaccines against measles infection.
The concern was shared by the experts during a Question and Answer round hosted by the media. Reportedly, the event was hosted to discuss the measles outbreaks happening in the United States.
According to the reports by abc3340.com, MD and co-director of UAB and Children’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease – David Kimberlin, emphasized the dangers of not getting vaccinated. In addition to this, he also briefed about the ways that parents and guardians should choose to protect their children.
Dr Kimberlin was quoted saying, “The measles virus is like a heat-seeking missile; it will find people who aren’t immune to it.”
Is a potential measles-linked pandemic looming on the horizon?
The health expert, while sharing the concern, outlined that if proper precautions are not taken, then there is a possibility that the United States may face a COVID-19 pandemic.
Emphasizing the importance of vaccination, he noted that the spread of the virus could be stopped if 95 percent of the population had taken vaccinations against the infection. University experts have further maintained that the disease vanished for many decades because the majority of the population was immune from vaccines; however, now, as many as 36 states fall below 95 percent of the threshold.
It is to be noted that one of the most common symptoms of measles is high fever, which can go up to 104 or 105 degrees. In addition to this, a person may also experience coughing, congestion, and red eyes.
Health experts have furthermore mentioned that the infection might have devastating effects on the person who is not vaccinated. The disease could be dangerous for the very young population and people dealing with any underlying condition.
Furthermore, Dr Kimberlin outlined that the virus could survive in the body of the host for around four days before the common symptoms arise. He then asked the people to get vaccinated against the infection and also to take care that their near and dear had received the latest dose.
Additionally, he asked the parents and guardians to communicate with their pediatrician and know all the possible facts. Elaborating about the MMR vaccine, he stated that the vaccine “has been used for the entire 60 years that I have been on this planet, and it is very safe and very effective vaccine,” as per the reports by abc3340.com.
Measles in the United States
According to the official stats, approximately eleven (11) US states have reported twenty (20) measles cases in 2024. The stats have also included one confirmed case in Georgia.