|  Today's report of three measles cases in Maricopa County is a sobering reminder that this rare and highly contagious disease can flare among those who aren't vaccinated. Before the U.S. introduced a vaccination program, measles was a common illness in infants, children, and young adults. It can be severe: Approximately two out of 1,000 people with measles die and one out of every 1,000 develops brain swelling that can result in permanent brain damage. Measles spreads easily through respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air for up to two hours and by direct contact with droplets on surfaces. The most prominent symptom is a rash that usually starts on the head and slowly spreads to the rest of the body. The good news is that the measles (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, and a high vaccination rate is the best way to prevent measles from spreading among those who can't be vaccinated or who aren't vaccinated for another reason. However, a worrying 90.6% of Arizona kindergarten students were vaccinated during the 2021–2022 school year, well short of the 95% threshold considered necessary to prevent localized outbreaks. | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment