Texas records first US measles death in 10 years – a medical epidemiologist explains how to protect yourself and your community from this deadly, preventable disease
5 Key Questions About Measles Answered Amid Outbreak
Before there was a vaccine in 1963, measles infected millions and killed hundreds of people in the U.S. Every year. Now, with the first measles death occurring in over a decade, doctors warn that declining vaccination rates are bringing the disease back, putting more people — especially children — at risk.
Here are five things to know about measles.
What is measles?Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness. Nine in 10 people who are exposed to the measles virus will become infected if they don't have immunity through previous infection or vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms often begin one to two weeks after exposure. Early symptoms can look like other common respiratory illnesses starting with a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and white spots in the mouth.
Stock photo of a person with the measles.
Mumemories/Getty Images
Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician in Austin, Texas, who treated measles decades ago, warns measles "doesn't look like measles initially, and so that's what's so scary ... This could look like flu."
A distinct red rash typically appears three to five days later, usually starting on the face and spreading down the body.
What is the earliest my child can get vaccinated?The CDC recommends all children receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, with the first dose given between 12-15 months and the second dose when they reach 4-6 years old.
MORE: Measles cases are rising in the US, mainly among those who are unvaccinated: Health officials
In some circumstances, children as young as 6 months old may receive the vaccine, and a second dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first, according to the CDC.
Dr. Lara Johnson, a pediatrician and the chief medical officer at Covenant Children's and Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas, said people worried about their vaccination status should talk to their doctor.
The MMR vaccine for measles, mumps or rubella at Logan Square Health Center in Chicago in 2019.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE
"One of the messages that's really important in the context of this outbreak is, if you're behind on your vaccinations, now's a great time to get caught up," Johnson told ABC News.
Can you get measles if you are fully vaccinated?One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles and two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC.
That means that 3 out of 100 vaccinated people may get sick if exposed to the virus, but these infections are usually less severe than in unvaccinated people who get sick, according to the CDC.
MORE: Texas measles outbreak grows to 124 cases, mostly among unvaccinated
Most people who were vaccinated as children won't need any additional measles vaccines. But adults who only had one measles vaccination or people who were vaccinated in the 1960s may be candidates for an additional vaccination.
Anyone unsure of their vaccination status should have a discussion with their doctor. There's no harm in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine. According to the CDC, people born before 1957 are immune to the virus because almost everyone at the time was infected with measles, mumps and rubella during their childhood.
Anyone living in a high-risk area should speak to their doctor about whether they need a booster, according to the CDC.
What can pregnant women do to stay safe?Measles in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm birth, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, women should not receive the MMR vaccine while they are pregnant because it is a live vaccine.
MORE: Measles cases surge worldwide, infecting 10.3 million people in 2023: WHO
If a pregnant person is exposed to measles, they should talk to their doctor as soon as possible — within six days — to know if they should receive a post-exposure prophylaxis with measles immunoglobulin (an injection of antibodies that can help reduce the severity of illness for high-risk people), according to the CDC.
Can measles kill you?Measles can cause complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, long-term hearing loss and death — as is the case in the current Texas outbreak.
A person's body is covered in a rash, measles in this undated stock photo.
Natalya Maisheva/Getty Images
In the decade before the measles vaccine, the CDC estimates 3 to 4 million people were infected and 400 to 400 people died from the virus every year in the United States.
Other long-term complications include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal complication that can develop seven to ten years after recovery. SSPE causes a gradual loss of mental abilities, which progresses to a vegetative state and eventually leads to death, according to the National Institutes of Health.
There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors say the best way to prevent complications of measles is to get vaccinated.
"The vaccine is so effective," Dr. Summer Davies, a pediatrician currently treating hospitalized patients at Covenant Children's Hospital, told ABC News.
Davies said the best way to protect yourself, your children and your community is to get the vaccine, even "if you're not worried yourself about getting it."
This is not just like any other virus, Davies said.
"Some people think, 'Oh, this is just a virus like the flu. I'll get it, maybe get a fever and rash and get over it,'" Davies said. "But it can be really severe, as we have seen here."
Johnson said that measles is not just an issue from the past, but something that could progress in the future without proper vaccinations.
"[Measles] seems like something from the past," Johnson said. "But if we don't continue to vaccinate and do things that we did in order to make these illnesses of the past, then they'll be illnesses of the present."
-Dr. Amanda Hargett-Granato and Jade A Cobern contributed to this report. Hargett-Granato is a pediatric resident at Mayo Clinic and member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Cobern, MD, MPH, board-certified in pediatrics and general preventive medicine, is a medical fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit.
Four Possible Mumps Cases Identified At Several WA Prisons
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The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) says four inmates in state prisons may have mumps.
Two inmates at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, one inmate at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, and another at Clallam Bay Corrections Center are all showing symptoms, DOC says.
DOC says that the inmate at Stafford Creek had recently arrived from Washington Corrections Center, and their symptoms were discovered during a screening.
Contact tracing has already been conducted at SCCC.
At present, DOC says there is no evidence of a mass outbreak, and cases have not been confirmed.
Current measures have been implemented for an abundance of caution.
DOC staff and the incarcerated population have been advised to wash their hands often, cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze and take other precautions to prevent infection.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, mumps is a disease caused by a virus that affects the salivary glands. It spreads through salivary droplets transmitted through the air by coughing or conversation. It can also be spread physically by individuals sharing a plate or utensil, for example. The risk of spread is greater in a crowded setting like a prison.
Health officials say that the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can help prevent infection.
Mumps Outbreak In Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Health Department Issues High Alert
Protect kids from mumps: Vaccinate with MMR, practice good hygiene, and avoid close contact with infected individuals. The Tamil Nadu Health Department has sounded a high alert as mumps cases surge among children in Coimbatore. The alert follows an outbreak at a matriculation school in Peelamedu, where 21 kindergarten students tested positive for the viral infection in the past two days. In response, the school has declared a holiday until March 12 to prevent further transmission. Health officials from the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation confirmed that 13 KG students initially displayed symptoms, prompting the school to send them home immediately. Authorities have assured the public that there is no cause for panic but urge individuals with symptoms like fever, facial swelling, or fatigue to seek medical care promptly. '70% of rising #mumps cases in #TamilNadu are in kids under 9! Experts urge vaccination & better monitoring. Is it time to act? #MumpsOutbreak #ChildHealth' What is Mumps and How to Prevent It Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the paramyxovirus, primarily affecting the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands near the ears, leading to painful swelling on one or both sides of the face. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person. It is most contagious a few days before symptoms appear and up to five days after swelling begins. While mumps is usually a mild illness, it can lead to complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, hearing loss, or inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, particularly in unvaccinated individuals.
The most effective way to prevent mumps is through vaccination. The MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine is highly effective and is typically administered in two doses during childhood. Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, can also help reduce the spread of the virus.
A recent study by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health (DPH) () reveals a worrying rise in mumps cases statewide. Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) shows the incidence rate jumped from 0.07 per lakh population in 2021-22 to 1.30 in 2023-24. Over 70% of cases involve children under nine, with Coimbatore and Dharmapuri being hotspots in previous years.Health experts attribute the surge to factors like environmental changes, population dynamics, and gaps in vaccination coverage. While India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) includes measles and rubella vaccines, mumps vaccination remains optional. The DPH study recommends making mumps a notifiable disease and adding the mumps vaccine to the UIP to curb future outbreaks.
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Authorities are intensifying surveillance and preventive measures, urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.Reference:
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