Families are being cautioned by Seattle Children’s hospital about the rapid spread of measles, which has already surpassed all of the reported cases in 2023 in the first quarter of 2024.
The U.S. has seen 113 instances of the disease as of April 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with a sharp increase in cases in mid-March. The CDC data showed that up to nine of the total occurrences occurred in Washington state.
As per Seattle Children’s, the increase in cases can be attributed to a reduction in the measles vaccination rate following the COVID-19 epidemic. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 months receive the first dose of the measles vaccination, and children between the ages of 4 and 6 receive the second dose.
According to the CDC, 91.4% of Washington state’s youngsters received vaccinations in time for the 2022–2023 academic year. Hawaii had the lowest immunization rate (83.6%) over the same period of time.
Cough, eye redness, fever, runny nose, and body rash are typical measles symptoms. However, according to Seattle Children’s, some measles patients may experience brain swelling, which in rare cases could result in brain damage or even death.
According to health officials, an individual can spread the virus up to four days before to and following a patient’s onset of symptoms. When someone touches a contaminated surface, coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus is released into the air and spreads by airborne particles.
According to Seattle Children’s, the majority of measles cases this year have affected children aged one and older who have not had vaccinations, and they have also been linked to travel abroad.
Families should obtain the vaccine, which has a 97% success record in preventing the infection, according to hospital officials.
