Latest news with #ShandyDearth
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's how to stay safe from the measles while traveling
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- With a slight measles outbreak in the United States, experts are warning others of the dangers of traveling to areas where the disease could be spreading. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 12% rise in measles cases in the country. News 10 spoke with Shandy Dearth, the director of the Public Health Practice at the Fairbanks School of Public Health, who said cases are rising due to international travel. 'We actually considered measles to be eliminated here in the United States back in 2000, but we are seeing cases partly now because of international travel where measles does pop up more often,' said Dearth. US has 800 measles cases and outbreaks in several states. Here's what you should know Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Dearth said measles can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by contact with a contaminated surface. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, those at the highest risk of contracting the disease include unvaccinated people or travelers in areas where the disease circulates. 'If you have any international travel planned, you can get babies immunized at six months, talk with your pediatrician about the best approach for that,' said Dearth. RFK Jr.'s mixed message about the measles outbreaks draws criticism from health officials Symptoms include a high fever, tiny white spots inside of the mouth, and a rash. it can also cause pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and middle ear infections. Dearth said two doses of the vaccine is preventive against the disease. 'Two doses are 97% effective against measles, you can go to your healthcare provider, they can do a blood test where they check for titers to see if your protected from the measles or you can go get another vaccine,' said Dearth. Dearth warns people to quarantine themselves if they feel themselves becoming sick. 'Isolate yourself until you know one way or the other if you are potentially contagious yourself because you want to make sure you're not going to spread it to other people,' said Dearth. Crawfish prices hit season low just in time for Easter celebrations Here's how to stay safe from the measles while traveling 90 Plus: Louise 'Sammie' McClelland Lafayette special needs child also has special musical talent Arrest made after Pit Bull Olive found shot and tied to tree Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health officials stress vaccination as Ohio measles outbreak grows
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Ashtabula County has now recorded ten cases of the measles, with one of those infected known to have exposed others in Knox County in central Ohio. This jump in cases is not unexpected, but health officials are scrambling to stop the spread as the risk of more outbreaks continues to grow. As of March 20, the CDC reports just over 375 measles cases in the U.S., and that's not including the recent outbreak in Ohio. In an announcement from the director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says 'given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico and other states around the country, we're disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases here in Ohio.' ODH officials report all of the individuals who contracted measles were unvaccinated. Vaccines have greatly lowered the threat of measles, but it is still a highly contagious disease. 'Typically what we see is it's spreading through the air. And a lot of times you might develop a cough, a high fever and eventually you can develop the rash,' said Shandy Dearth, director of public health practice at Indiana University. 'But you can spread it before you have any of those symptoms.' Ashtabula County with ten cases, is less than 300 miles from Dayton, and Knox County where an infected person exposed others is only 114 miles away — making the spread of measles closer than you may thing. Health officials remain adamant that vaccination is the best defense against the virus. 'The one that we have right now is alive but innocuous virus that you get as a part of the measles, mumps, rubella shot,' said Richard Kuhn, professor of biological sciences at Purdue University. 'The measles vaccine is one of the safest vaccines that we actually have.' Typically, the MMR vaccine is given to children in two doses between 12 and 15 months old, but anyone can the get vaccine at any age. ODH has said that the most vulnerable groups are young children, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised. Officials stress that if you or your children have not gotten the MMR vaccine, they strongly encourage you do so. To learn more about the MMR vaccine, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
