A measles outbreak in North Dakota has raised concerns about the state’s public health status. Dr. Stephen McDonough, a pediatrician and former official with the North Dakota Department of Health, argues that the state’s ranking as the healthiest in the US 30 years ago was a significant regression.
In recent years, North Dakota has experienced several outbreaks, including COVID-19, whooping cough, and measles. The current outbreak, which started on June 3, has reported 34 cases. Dr. McDonough blames the decline in measles immunization rates among school-age children for this outbreak.
He points to a significant increase in vaccine refusal in North Dakota, ranking eighth in the US. Additionally, the Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy’s decision to cut or cancel over 40 grants focused on vaccine hesitancy has exacerbated the issue.
Dr. McDonough calls on Governor Armstrong to prioritize immunizations and take action at the upcoming Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health in Bismarck. He suggests establishing a state goal of 95% childhood measles immunization rate, developing plans to achieve it, and demanding that Sens. Hoeven and Cramer and Rep. Fedorchak support restoring immunization grants or recommending Secretary Kennedy’s removal.
The author emphasizes that decades of neglect from North Dakota governors have led to this crisis, and it is time for Governor Armstrong to take decisive action.
Source: https://www.inforum.com/opinion/letters/letter-how-are-you-going-to-address-this-tragic-measles-outbreak-gov-armstrong