Have you heard about the new measles cases in the US? It felt like we had beat measles, but now it is back in many states.
Thanks to widespread vaccination, measles stopped spreading in the US over 20 years ago. Before a vaccine was made in the 1960s, almost every child caught measles. Back then, 400 to 500 people died each year from measles-related problems, like pneumonia or hearing loss.
So far this year, there are over 1,000 confirmed cases in 32 states. Most are children. In west Texas alone, nearly 100 people have been in the hospital and two unvaccinated kids died. They are the first measles deaths in the US since 2015. New Mexico also reported one measles-related death.
Can we stop these outbreaks?
Yes. Measles outbreaks are very preventable. If 95 out of every 100 people in a community are vaccinated, measles cannot spread easily.
But vaccination rates among school kids fell from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023. In many Texas counties, fewer than 95% of kindergartners are vaccinated. In the hardest-hit area of west Texas, only 82% are vaccinated. Low rates like these leave many people at risk.
Among the recent US cases, only 3% were fully vaccinated. Most were either not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccine status, and a few had only one of the two recommended doses.
Seven things to know about measles
1. Measles spreads very easily
The virus floats in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. It can hang around for hours in a room. About 9 out of 10 people who are not immune will get measles if they are exposed. That makes it far more contagious than the flu or COVID-19.
2. Early signs look like a cold
Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after infection. At first, a person may have fever, cough, or runny nose—just like a common virus. Small white spots can appear inside the mouth a few days in, and then a red rash shows up. But people are contagious days before the rash, so the virus often spreads before anyone knows it’s measles.
3. Measles can be serious or deadly
Measles can lead to:
- Brain swelling, which can cause seizures or hearing loss
- Pneumonia
- Severe eye problems or vision loss
- Miscarriage or other pregnancy issues
- A rare, deadly brain disease that appears years later
Young children, adults over 20, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems are at higher risk. About 3 in every 1,000 cases can be fatal. Recent outbreaks have sent about one in eight patients to the hospital.
4. Measles weakens immunity
A study found that measles can wipe out many of the antibodies your body made against other infections. This leaves you open to illnesses you were once protected from, like flu or pneumonia, for years after measles.
5. Vaccination works very well
Two doses of the measles vaccine protect about 97 out of 100 people. If a fully vaccinated person does get measles, the illness is milder and spreads less easily.
6. The vaccine is safe
Side effects are usually mild, such as arm soreness or a low fever. Thorough research has shown that the measles vaccine does not cause autism. Yet wrong ideas about vaccine safety have led some to skip shots, which helps measles return.
7. How to protect yourself
- Get vaccinated. Children usually get one dose at age 1 and a second between ages 4 and 6. If you missed either dose, you can get it later. Adults born after 1957 who had an older version of the vaccine may consider testing or a booster.
- Stay home if infected. People with measles should avoid others until four days after their rash starts to fade.
- Wear a mask. Those with measles and close contacts should wear a mask to stop the spread.
- Wash hands often. Clean hands can help block the virus.
- Check your immunity. If you are not sure about your vaccine history, a simple blood test can tell you if you are protected.
- Plan before travel. Make sure you are fully vaccinated before going to places where measles still occurs.
The bottom line
Measles has come back because fewer people are vaccinated. Experts warn that cases and deaths may rise unless more people get their shots. An estimated 9 to 15 million US children could be at risk if they stay unvaccinated.
The good news is we know how to stop measles. High vaccination rates can end outbreaks. Talk calmly and kindly with anyone who is unsure about vaccines. Share reliable facts and remind them that measles shots are safe and lifesaving.