Local health officials on alert during measles outbreak
Columbus, Ga – This year's measles outbreak may have started in Texas and in other parts of the country but health officials in the Chattahoochee Valley are still on alert in case it spreads to the area.'It spreads pretty quickly. And it spreads very quickly especially in those who are unvaccinated,' said Dr. Dana Cason, St. Francis' Director of Newborn Services.
Over 200 cases of the measles have been confirmed in the U.S. At least two deaths have been confirmed in this measles outbreak. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has emphasized the importance of a vaccine to combat this disease. In part he said 'Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.'
For Secretary Kennedy's full statement about the 2025 measles outbreak click here.
Dr. Cason explained just how effective the MMR vaccine is to combat measles.
'They give the first vaccine between 12 and 18 months, and the second one is between 4 and 6 years of age. The first one gives about a 90 percent coverage. The second one goes up to 97 percent,' said Dr. Cason.
The resurgence of measles has also created another problem for many current doctors. 25 years ago this disease was considered to be eradicated, and now some doctors are very unfamiliar with how to treat their patients with measles.
'This was eradicated in 2000. So most of us have not really ever seen the measles. So when something comes back around like this it's time for everyone to dust off these books because we haven't seen it in so long,' said Dr. Cason.
If you are diagnosed with the measles it's important to seek medical help. However, you have to alert either you primary physician or the hospital you're going to because measles is very contagious.
'You want to make sure that they get the care but you want the pediatrician office or where ever you want to take them, to be able to know that they're coming. So that you're not in the waiting room with a bunch of kids. The droplets from respiratory, they stay in a closed room for about 2 hours,' said Dr. Cason.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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