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Oregon has been witnessing an outbreak of measles cases which is the largest in the state in more than three decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that almost one-third of the measles cases since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in the past three months. USA Today says that the number of cases in Oregon’s outbreak first tracked in mid-June grew to 31 as of Tuesday, surpassing the last outbreak in the state, in 2019, when 28 cases were reported.
Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division said, “The disease is among the most contagious known, and the only way we know to stop it is to maintain very high immunization rates – upwards of 95%.
“Two doses of vaccine provide lifelong protection for about 97% of recipients.”
Oregon Health Authority says that all of the people who have been infected during the measles outbreak were unvaccinated and two of them have been hospitalised. The outbreak is the largest reported in Oregon since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Reports say that a majority of the cases that have been reported in the US this year, almost 87%, are among people who had not been vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
Experts say that the rising number of cases is due to the falling rate of children getting measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
Measles is a viral disease that causes fever and a rash. It is highly contagious and spreads through the air when a person with measles talks, coughs or sneezes. There isn’t any treatment available for measles. The best way to stay protected against measles is to get the MMR vaccine.
Most of these measles cases are reported in children and therefore, it is important to get children vaccination. The MMR vaccination helps to protect children from measles.
Symptoms of Measles
Here, take a look at some of the common symptoms of measles, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots with bluish-white centres on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
- A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another.
Complications of Measles
Here, take a look at some of the complications of measles.
- Ear infection: This is one of the most common complications of measles.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting: This can result in losing too much water from your body which can lead to dehydration.
- Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup: Measles can lead to irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the airways or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of the lungs.
- Pneumonia: The infection can also cause infection in the lungs.
- Encephalitis: This is irritation and swelling of the brain. The condition can be especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.
- Pregnancy problems: People who are pregnant should take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause premature birth, low birth weight and foetal death.
Risk Factors for Measles
Here, take a look at some of the risk factors for measles.
- Being unvaccinated: If you haven’t had the measles vaccine, the chances of you getting measles tend to increase.
- Travelling internationally: If you travel to countries where measles is more common, you have a higher risk of getting infected with measles.
- Vitamin A deficiency: If you have vitamin A deficiency, you’re more likely to have severe symptoms and complications of measles.