Could Measles Come To Alabama?
[gtxvideo vid=”48pXMPDD” playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/48pXMPDD.jpg” vtitle=”Measles”]
The measles vaccine has been around since the 60’s and up until about 2000 it was basically wiped out.
Last year saw a big jump in cases, and 2015 is already catching up with 121 cases so far.
Dr. Jefferson Underwood says it’s not a virus to take lightly.
“The measles can actually kill people. It can cause brain swelling which we refer to as rubel edema which is caused by a condition known as incefilitis. Also, it can lead to permanent hearing loss,” said Dr. Underwood.
A majority of the cases this year have been on the west coast with unvaccinated children.
Dr. Underwood says part of that has to with the anti vaccine movement.
Underwood is a big advocate of vaccines and says with this outbreak, it’s important for more than just children.
“I’m advising all adults who were born after 1956 to consider, actually I’m advising them to receive an additional MMR which stands for measles, mumps and rubella booster.”
The Alabama Department of Public Health says that part of what’s helped Alabama avoid an outbreak is a high vaccination rate, usually around 94 percent of the population. But health officials warn the virus could still make it’s way here.
“That can happen in Alabama, we’re just a car ride or a plane ride away from someone bringing the measles into Alabama that has not been vaccinated that has become infected with this virus. I think what parents need to know in Alabama is that we need to maintain a high vaccination rate,” said Dr. Karen Landers with the State Department of Health.
