Measles — a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening respiratory virus that is often characterized by a blotchy rash — is spreading fast in rural Texas, with some other states also seeing an uptick in cases.
More Measles Cases Expected in the Weeks Ahead
Health authorities warn that many more people are likely to fall sick with measles in the weeks ahead.
“Measles is the most contagious infectious disease known in humans,” says virologist Gregory Poland, MD, president of the Atria Research Institute in New York City and a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “If you are not immunized and walk into a room with somebody who has the measles, 12 hours later you almost certainly will develop the illness.”
A Warning Sign of an Undervaccinated Population
For Deborah Fuller, PhD, a professor of microbiology and a vaccine researcher at the University of Washington School of Medicine, the spike in measles is especially worrisome because it indicates a drop in vaccination rates and suggests that outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases may be coming our way.
“It’s sort of the harbinger that signifies vaccination rates have declined below the level needed to protect the population,” she says.
“Because measles is so infectious, 95 percent of a community needs to be vaccinated in order to stop transmission and create herd immunity,” says Catherine Troisi, PhD, a professor of management policy and community health at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. “However, there can be pockets of unvaccinated [individuals] even when the larger community’s immunization rate is higher, and this can result in measles outbreaks.”
Who Should Get the Measles Vaccine?
Teens and adults are advised to check with their healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on their MMR vaccination.
Most people who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine do not need a measles booster shot, but some specific individuals may benefit, such as those who have undergone certain treatments for cancer and have lost some immunity, according to Dr. Fuller.
“Luckily the measles virus does not mutate to the extent that new vaccines are needed,” adds Dr. Troisi.
Measles Can Make You Extremely Sick
The health effects of measles can be devastating and even fatal in some cases, according to Dr. Poland.
- A distinct rash that usually starts on the hairline and moves down to the face and upper neck. It then spreads to the rest of the body, including the hands and feet. On lighter skin, the rash appears red. On darker skin, the rash can be hard to see, though it may appear purple or darker than the surrounding skin.
- High fever that may spike to more than 104 degrees F
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots (called Koplik spots) that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after other symptoms begin
Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea, but more severe outcomes can develop, including pneumonia and encephalitis (brain swelling), which may result in permanent brain damage.
Reversing a Downward Immunization Trend
Even as the numbers remain relatively low, health officials are concerned about the current case count inching up.
“I think there’s kind of an anti-vaccine skepticism in our culture right now, and vaccination is not being given its proper perspective by health authorities in our current climate,” says Poland. “This is a terrible disease and there is no treatment for it. There is, however, a near perfect preventive for it, and that’s the vaccine, and once you have the shot, you’re pretty well set for life.”