Latest news with #VitaminA.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles is highly contagious, experts explain how to stay protected
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — Measles cases are increasing nationwide and health officials in the Southern Tier are urging the public to take precautions. According to local health officials, the highly contagious virus affects both children and adults. Health officials say it's typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Even if you don't have direct contact with someone who is sick, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, putting anyone nearby at risk. Infectious Disease Specialist, Justin Nistico from Arnot Health said there are symptoms of measles to look out for. 'You start seeing the telltale symptoms of either a fever, cough, runny nose and maybe this typical rash, which is usually a whole-body rash, you may even just see it in spots on the face,' said Dr. Nistico. LECOM and EOP to host free community health fair 'Measles is very contagious, it's assumed that for every one person who has measles if they were to walk into a room with unvaccinated people, that for every one person who is sick with measles, they could infect nine to 10 individuals,' said Sarah Mattison, Chemung County Deputy Public Health Director. Dr. Nistico said a rash is more common in children, and some may also experience muscle aches. He said measles can also lead to severe health complications, including brain swelling, and in some cases, even death, particularly in young children. Health officials stressed that the best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. According to Mattison, the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella is given in a two-dose series and is highly effective. Medication disposal event available to Chemung County residents in April Dr. Nistico added children typically get the first dose around the age of one and there's a booster given at the age of four. 'Children who have been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine rarely ever develop infection with measles, children who also get the vaccine rarely have complications if they are infected with measles,' Nistico said. 'If you don't get vaccinated your risk of getting measles is quite high,' he said. Mattison said anyone born before 1957 is presumed to already have natural immunity from having been exposed to measles during their own childhood. EOP to host program to promote healthy eating in the Southern Tier There has been some discussion about other ways to combat measles, according to Dr. Nistico, including the use of Vitamin A. While it may help malnourished children have better outcomes, Dr. Nistico emphasized that it is not a cure. 'There is a lot of discussion about using Vitamin A, the data behind use of Vitamin A is in children who're malnourished,' said Dr. Nistico. 'Taking Vitamin A tends to give them nourishment and vitamins and also at the same time helps them not have as serious an outcome with measles, but it's not to say it's going to treat or cure measles. A lot of other things that are tried out just don't have any data associated with them, so the most important one is really this MMR or the measles vaccine,' he said. With measles cases on the rise across the nation, local health officials urged people to check their vaccination records and be aware of symptoms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Growing NM measles cases ‘not a rapidly expanding outbreak,' DOH says
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The New Mexico Health Department reported 30 infections Friday, three times as many as the prior report. This jump does not signal a 'rapidly expanding outbreak,' NMDOH spokesperson David Morgan told Source via an emailed statement, but reflects steadily rising cases just added to the case count this week. 'The increase in case numbers today is the combined total of test results from the New Mexico Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory Division and the known contacts of confirmed cases that also developed clinical measles,' Morgan said. 'It is important to note that many of these cases were not identified until after their illness.' That being said, Morgan added, 'We do expect to see more measles cases in the ongoing outbreaks in Lea County and Texas among people who are unvaccinated. The majority of confirmed measles cases involve unvaccinated people. The large majority of Lea County residents are vaccinated and well-protected even if they come into contact with the virus.' According to the reports, officials identified 14 cases in the first week, six cases in each week between Feb. 16 and March 1 and four cases this week. Newly reported infections include very young children. Lea County now has three infections in children ages 0 to 4; eight cases in children ages 5 to 17; and 15 adult cases. Four cases remain pending. Measles is an airborne, highly contagious respiratory disease. People can spread infection days before symptoms show, which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that spreads over the body. Severe complications include pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. Approximately one in five cases requires hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Melissa Mason, a pediatrician and chair of the immunization committee for the New Mexico Pediatric Society, told Source NM last week that two doses of the measles vaccine offers the most effective prevention. 'This is the gold star of vaccines, after a second dose, you get 97% protection,' Mason said. NMDOH reported Thursday that an unvaccinated adult tested positive for measles and died, but the cause of death is still under investigation. This follows the Feb. 26 death of a Texas child, the first U.S. death from the disease in a decade. The ongoing outbreak started in Gaines County, Texas, just across the state line from Lea County. Cases in Texas continue to rise, with health officials there reporting just under 200 cases, mostly in unvaccinated children. As reported nationally, recent comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continued to downplay the role of vaccinations and instead touted nutrition and the role of Vitamin A. Vitamin A can be used in treatment, but it does not prevent measles, according to the CDC. Children under the age of six months cannot receive the vaccine. The CDC says that adults vaccinated in the 1960s may need an additional dose of the vaccine for the most effective prevention. New Mexicans can use Vax View to look up previous vaccine records, NMDOH will hold free measles vaccination clinics in Lea County in two locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. onTuesday, March 11. Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso Lovington Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th Street NMDOH can also assist with finding local pharmacies with vaccines in stock or questions about symptoms on the helpline at 1-833-796-8773. The line is staffed with nurses who can provide information in English and Spanish. Further information can be found online.
