United States: As the measles epidemic in the USA is still ongoing, your vaccination record must be checked through authorities’ guidelines.
About the vaccine for measles
Citing health experts, immunization is about 93 percent protective against the dreadful disease, measles. Additionally, it may help reduce the odds of getting sick as long as it is taken within 72 hours after exposure to the illness.
All those yet to receive the vaccine must be accorded the chance to get the vaccine now or as soon as possible.
In the state of Michigan, the immunization problems have worsened according to officials in the health sector, as CBS News reported.
Rise of cases in Michigan state
Actually, the first case was recorded in February out of Oakland County. This was the state’s most recent Measles diagnosis since the year 2019.
The case was linked to a child who had been on an international travel, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Two more measles cases were reported on Sunday, March 3, in Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
Washtenaw County health officials say anyone at the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department waiting and triage areas from 10:30 opening time to 1:30 closing time on 1 March Friday could have been infected.
According to a CBS News report, Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department states, ” “Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily through the air,” and, “This means we need to alert people who may have been present to the possibility of exposure, especially because anyone not vaccinated is likely to become ill if exposed.”
Additionally, “Importantly, there is no cause for ongoing concern at the hospital,” Dr Marquez stated, and, “The individual was quickly and appropriately isolated as soon as measles was suspected.”
Check for these Measles symptoms
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor themselves for up to 21 days, with the following signs and symptoms –
- High fever might peak up to over 104˚F
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Small white spots on the gums, inner lining of the cheeks, and the roof of the mouth, which may show up two to three days after symptoms start to appear (Koplik Spots)
- A rash that is red, swollen, or a blotch of some kind usually begins on the face and spreads to the chest, arms, and legs around three to five days after any symptoms start to show.
Decreasing MMR vaccination intake
Vaccine coverage of MMR (two doses) for the age group 4 years old to 6 years old according to the state’s vaccination data decreased from 89 percent in 2017 to 84 percent in 2022.
Babies and young children would have a hard time recovering from measles because they constitute one-fifth of all hospitalizations caused by this disease.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Wayne County Health Officer said, “Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself, your family, and the people you spend your days with,” and, “Given the growing risk of measles because of outbreaks in Europe and elsewhere, we highly recommend you verify your and your family’s vaccination status immediately—and get vaccinated if you or they have not been,” as reported by CBS News.
In order to validate their vaccination status, residents are advised to reach their health care provider or WCPH in this case.