Measles cases are on the rise in the US, with outbreaks reported in Texas and New Mexico. Health experts are sounding the alarm over misinformation about how to prevent and treat measles.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the Health and Human Services Department, has made claims that public health experts say are not supported by scientific evidence. He claims vitamin A can “dramatically” reduce measles deaths and that poor diet contributes to severe cases. However, experts disagree, saying there is no evidence to support these claims.
According to Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, low doses of vitamin A may be beneficial in treating deficiency, but it does not treat the virus itself. High doses can have serious side effects.
Kennedy has also claimed that vaccines cause death and lead to severe illnesses, despite no evidence to support these claims. Experts say the risks from measles far outweigh any risks from vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract measles are hospitalized, and up to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
Health experts advise relying on scientifically proven medical information and say there is no benefit to “natural immunity” when vaccines are available. With the rise in measles cases, it’s essential to rely on credible sources of information to prevent the spread of this disease.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-claims-measles-treated-vitamin-linked-poor/story?id=119713193