Le Bonheur monitors rise of measles cases in U.S.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As measles cases continue to rise across the United States, including a major outbreak in Texas that has led to one child's death, health experts at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis are closely monitoring the situation.
'So measles is very, very contagious. It is the most contagious viral illness,' said Dr. Sandy Arnold, Le Bonheur Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 'If somebody with measles is in the same room with you, you have a very high chance of catching measles if you are not immune.'
Dr. Arnold said that the measles vaccine is recommended for all children after their first birthday. Because of the way the measles vaccine works, it can be inhibited.
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The largest outbreak so far this year has been in Texas, but cases have been reported in a number of other states as well.
On Tuesday, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital told WREG there have been no reported measles cases in Memphis and Shelby County. Doctors recommend that children and even older adults make sure they've had the measles vaccine.
'So first of all, if you were born before 1956, you are presumed to have had measles and are considered protected because pretty much everybody got measles at that time,' said Dr. Arnold. 'If you attended school in the State of Tennessee, and you did not receive any vaccine exemptions that you know of, you're probably vaccinated.'
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Doctors said that if you forget your vaccination history, you can take a simple blood test, or you can get another measles vaccine shot to help protect yourself and others.
'So, if you are unsure and cannot get any data on whether you are vaccinated or not, you can get a vaccine because there's no harm in having more than two, and that's the easiest thing, because otherwise you're going to have to get a blood test, wait for the results and then get a vaccine,' said Dr. Arnold.
The CDC says measles is far more contagious than COVID-19. For example, if one person gets measles, they can spread it to up to 9 out of 10 people around them if those people are not vaccinated.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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