A measles outbreak has been confirmed in Gallatin County, Montana, with five new cases reported since 1990s. The medical director of the county health department, Peter Bulger, is urging people to take the risk seriously due to the highly contagious nature of the disease.
Measles can lead to severe illness, hospitalization, permanent disability, and death, especially among children. Bulger attributes the recent cases to declining MMR vaccination rates in younger populations.
However, with high vaccination rates among 13-17-year-olds in Montana exceeding nationwide averages, health officials are confident in preventing a COVID-level outbreak. The MMR vaccine has had a decades-long track record of being highly safe and effective, providing 97% protection against infection.
Bulger emphasizes that individuals who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are fully vaccinated and offer excellent immunity against measles. He attributes Montana’s success in controlling measles to its high rates of vaccination throughout the population.
Source: https://www.kbzk.com/news/local-news/health-officials-respond-to-measles-cases-confirmed-in-gallatin-county