A measles outbreak has been confirmed in Alabama, with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) identifying an unvaccinated individual as the source of the case. The person, who was not yet eligible for vaccination, had their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months old.
The ADPH is working to find other unvaccinated individuals in the area who may need a vaccine to prevent further spread. While most eligible Alabamians are vaccinated against measles, the risk of an outbreak remains low. However, some persons will need to be vaccinated as part of this investigation.
This comes amid a nationwide surge of measles cases, with 1,168 confirmed cases reported across 34 states as of June 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 95% of those infected were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but recent years have seen a worrying rise in cases. In Alabama, there had been no reported cases in 2023 or 2024, with the last known outbreak possibly dating back to 2002.
Public health officials are urging residents to prioritize vaccination to prevent further spread of measles. “The Measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in producing lifelong immunity against this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr. Karen Landers, ADPH’s chief medical officer and pediatrician.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can infect up to 90% of susceptible close contacts and cause severe complications like pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death. With 41 deaths reported in 1953 alone, measles was once listed among Alabama’s leading causes of death.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/health-crisis-after-23-years-measles-threat-returns-to-alabama-sparking-urgent-vaccination-efforts-amid-nationwide-surge/articleshow/121719236.cms?from=mdr