With measles spreading in U.S., health experts emphasize prevention

Yahoo

28-02-2025

Nine states are reporting a total of 164 cases of measles, leading local and national health officials to warn the public that steps should be taken to prevent spread of the highly contagious illness.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are cases in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Texas. Twenty percent of those who contracted measles have had to be hospitalized and there's one confirmed death.
Last year, 285 cases were reported in 33 jurisdictions nationwide for the whole year. The numbers in 2025 so far include less than two full months, prompting health officials to issue advice on avoiding measles and explain what will happen in case of a local outbreak.
The Salt Lake County Health Department and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services both issued advisories Friday. Vaccination is at the top of their to-do lists to prevent measles.
The reason, county health spokesman Nicholas Rupp told the Deseret News, is that measles is so contagious. Those who are not immune have a 90% chance of contracting the disease if they are exposed. And it can be spread by people before the disease shows any symptoms.
Besides that, the virus can linger in the air for two hours after someone who is contagious leaves.
Both health departments urge people to get the two-dose mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine if they haven't done so or do not already have immunity.
'The current MMR vaccine has been used since the early 1970s and has saved millions of lives —and prevented significant suffering — around the globe,' said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. 'The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and Utahns are encouraged to protect their families by getting the recommended vaccine. If you have questions about vaccination, talk to a healthcare provider.'
The vaccine regimen — two doses — is 97% effective and for the other 3% who are immunized and get it, symptoms are milder, illness doesn't last as long and the disease is less likely to spread to others. Those who are not vaccinated and those too young to be vaccinated are more prone to severe complications if they contract measles.
The CDC describes measles as 'an airborne, extremely infectious and potentially severe rash illness.' Before the vaccine, as many as 48,000 people in the U.S. were hospitalized and 400 to 500 people died every year.
Symptoms typically show up a week to two weeks after someone comes in contact with the virus and usually starts with high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A couple of days later, little white spots (called Koplik spots) may show up in the mouth. A day or two after that, the rash appears, typically starting with flat red spots on the face around the hairline, then spreading to the neck, torso and limbs. The rash is usually accompanied by a very high fever, 104° Fahrenheit or greater.
About 1 in 10 children with measles develop ear infections and a like number may get diarrhea.
Groups most likely to have complications are children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems.
Some people develop severe symptoms, including pneumonia, encephalitis and even death.
For pregnant women, measles can cause premature birth or a low-birthweight baby.
One deadly complication can develop up to a decade after a person had measles and seemingly recovered completely. Per the CDC, 'Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a very rare, but fatal disease of the central nervous system. It results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier in life.'
Measles is not seasonal, but does spread more during times of high travel or where unvaccinated people may be in close contact, like at a summer camp.
The CDC estimated that just under 89% of Utahns had received their vaccinations at the time of the 2023-24 school year.
According to health officials, measles vaccine recommendations vary. For instance, those born before 1957 likely have their own immunity because measles was so widespread before the vaccine became available in 1963.
For others, though, there are age- or timing-based recommendations:
Children should have two doses of vaccine: one between 12 and 15 months and another at 4 to 6 years old.
Adults vaccinated before 1968 should get a second dose, since the vaccine was improved in 1968.
Adults vaccinated after 1968 are considered protected, though college students, health care workers and international travelers are encouraged to make sure they have had two doses of vaccine.
Rupp said Salt Lake County records suggest just 92.3% of kindergartners have received their immunizations, which means schools are about 3% below what's needed for herd immunity to stop a community outbreak.
A high level of community immunity is essential to protect infants too young to be vaccinated, as well as people who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, Dorothy Adams, executive director of the Salt Lake County health department, said in a news release. She added that getting vaccinated is not just for the individual, but to protect others.
Since outbreaks started popping up, Utah health officials in Salt Lake County have been preparing, just in case. Their work has included a public information blitz and internal discussions and preparation for if or when and how to respond, Rupp said.
Plans include a need to exclude under-vaccinated or unvaccinated students from school if they have a confirmed exposure. Those students 'will need to quarantine at home for 21 days to watch for symptoms,' he said. 'The only exception is if the exposed student receives post-exposure prophylaxis (which for measles is the MMR vaccine) within three days of the exposure. Given that people with measles are contagious up to four days before the telltale rash appears, the three-day window can be challenging to meet since the original patient may not know they have measles (and not just a cold) until after that window has passed.'
Others with known exposures will also be asked to quarantine for 21 days. They need to stay home from school and work, and not be out shopping or doing other things that expose others in the community, he said.
State health department experts have advice for anyone who has been around someone who has measles or who thinks they may have gotten measles: 'Call a healthcare provider right away. Tell them you've been exposed to measles so they can make special arrangements to see you without putting other people in their office at risk.'
For those who may not know their vaccination status, the county health department said most records on immunizations in Utah can be found on the secure Docket app or website. The mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine is widely available at local pharmacies, doctor's offices or SLCoHD immunization clinics; call 385-468-SHOT to schedule a vaccination appointment at a health department clinic.