The parents of a 6-year-old girl who died from measles in February have sparked controversy by downplaying the severity of the disease. In an interview with an anti-vaccine group, they described the virus as “not that bad” and claimed it was their child’s time to go.
Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, has responded to the parents’ statements. He says that vaccines are the best way to prevent measles and that there is no evidence to support claims that alternative remedies can help.
“We know that some children can develop pneumonia or other complications from measles,” Dr. Ratner explained. “However, this course of illness is entirely preventable by vaccination.”
The family also claimed that their daughter’s death was caused by a fatal case of pneumonia, but Dr. Ratner said it was likely a secondary infection caused by the measles virus.
“There’s no evidence to support the use of inhaled steroids or beta agonists for treating measles,” Dr. Ratner added. “And while vitamin A supplementation may be beneficial for children with malnutrition who have measles, there is no evidence that it prevents death from the disease.”
Dr. Ratner emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. He noted that one dose of the MMR vaccine is about 93% effective and two doses are around 97% effective.
“We’ve lost a child already in this outbreak and an adult has died in New Mexico,” Dr. Ratner said. “Both of those deaths were preventable.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that measles cases have increased dramatically in recent years, largely due to declining vaccination rates. The CDC urges parents to ensure their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations to protect themselves and their communities from this highly contagious disease.
In the case of the Texas family, Dr. Ratner emphasized that there is no evidence to support claims that vaccines cause measles or other illnesses. “The only way to prevent measles is by vaccination,” he said.
Source: https://people.com/measles-child-death-texas-parents-pediatrician-reponds-11701359