Idaho has reported its third measles case in the last two weeks, with all three cases being unvaccinated children. The cases are located in North Idaho, and officials say they don’t know of a link between the cases, suggesting that measles is likely spreading more rapidly.
According to Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho’s state epidemiologist, without any connection between the two confirmed cases, it’s reasonable to suspect that there is more measles circulating. This is consistent with what has been seen in other states around the nation, where cases can multiply quickly.
Measles is a highly contagious and serious illness, typically affecting children under 5 years old who are not vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease, which usually leads to hospitalization for one in five infected children.
This year’s outbreak has seen over 1,375 measles cases across 41 states, with about 13% leading to hospitalizations. The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades.
To verify vaccination records and stay safe, health officials encourage people to check their family’s records with their primary care provider or through the Docket App. Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, particularly for those who are not vaccinated.
Source: https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/idaho-health-officials-confirm-third-measles-case-in-unvaccinated-child-suggesting-higher-spread