Is a measles case in Arizona inevitable amid nationwide outbreak?
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — There are no reported cases of measles in Arizona, but some health officials worry it’s only a matter of time until the disease makes its way here when factoring in the state’s low vaccination rate and rising infections in neighboring states like California and New Mexico.
“I don’t think in public health we can ever say completely inevitable, but I think it’s reasonable to expect that it certainly could happen,” said Crystal Rambaud, immunization program manager for the Pima County Health Department.
She says public health officials across Arizona are on high alert. Arizona’s Family reached out to every county health department in the state on Thursday, all of whom reported no measles cases.
“We are looking closely at schools in the county and their immunization rates and what we can provide to get those immunization rates up,” said Rambaud.
The CDC is reporting more than 700 cases of measles this year, spreading to 24 states. The health agency updates outbreak data every Friday, and as of Thursday, two unvaccinated children in Texas have died, and another death of an unvaccinated person is under investigation in New Mexico.
The outbreak’s epicenter is in Gaines County, Texas, where the latest MMR vaccination rate among kindergarten students is just shy of 82%. Four counties in Arizona have vaccination rates lower than that.
“We need at least 95% or greater vaccination coverage in communities to ensure that a virus doesn’t spread,” said Dr. Jana Shaw, professor of pediatrics and public health and preventive medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “So, it’s just a matter of time when one infected traveler will encounter a community of unvaccinated individuals and that’s where the outbreak will start.”
Shaw explains measles is highly contagious. The tell-tale sign is a red blotchy rash, but that shows up four days after you’re sick.
“When you have cold symptoms; runny nose, cough, fever, maybe red eyes, you may think you just have another cold and go on and travel and unknowingly expose others,” she said.
Health experts say the best defense is getting the shots as a child.
“Vaccination is the safest choice and don’t take a chance,” said Dr. Shaw.
“All the data shows us that the immunization is much better, safer option than getting the disease itself which we know can be devastating and deadly,” explained Rambaud.
“Historically, Arizona students have maintained the 95% vaccination rate, which is needed to prevent measles outbreaks, should a measles case be present in a local community. However, recently, all vaccination rates have slightly declined,” said an Arizona Department of Health Services spokesperson to Arizona’s Family, who encouraged the MMR vaccine.
Maricopa County health officials also stressed that they are reinforcing vaccination efforts, reiterating that the MMR vaccine is the best production against measles. “We encourage everyone to check their vaccination status and make sure they and their children are up to date.”
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