Measles Outbreak In Washington Might Be A Wake-Up Call To Get Vaccinated
Residents across a county in Washington are on alert as health officials have already declared a measles outbreak in the area, with the number of people contacting the disease continues to rise up to this day. While the effects of measles can be serious and life-threatening, experts have developed a solution way back to eradicate the disease, and that is through vaccination. Unfortunately, the recent measles outbreak is attributed to the population’s lack of immunization, considering that the county with reported outbreak is known for opposing the idea of vaccination.
What Is Measles? And Why Did It Become A Threat Recently?
Measles is caused by the Rubella virus that can be spread through the air. Because the virus is air-borne, this disease is highly contagious, and it is no wonder why many people in Washington recently have contacted this illness. Symptoms found in people infected with the Rubella virus include red spots that start from inside the mouth then spread to other parts of the body. Without these spots, measles can be mistaken for a typical flu due to similar symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes, and fever that could go as high as 104 degrees.
As mentioned earlier, vaccination programs are already in place to stop the spread of measles. Sadly, on this day, there is an anti-vaccination or anti-vaxx movement that campaigns against getting vaccine shots, especially for babies and toddlers. Based on the latest data, many parents in the measles-stricken Clark County in Washington opt not to get their children vaccinated. In spite of the proven efficiency of the vaccines, which are backed with scientific research and studies, parents still question the safety of getting these shots. Some even argue that vaccine shots are poisonous and could bring more harm than good. The silly thing is people think that getting Calgary plastic surgery is even safer.
Out of the 49 confirmed cases of measles in Clark County, majority of this number involve children younger than 10. This is pretty much explained by the low vaccination rates in Washington, with more than 22 percent of public school students not going through vaccination programs.
Prevent Further Spread Of Measles By Educating The Masses
The only way to stop the current measles outbreak in the area is to remind the people to be immunized. The media can also play an important role in educating the people, just like it can help in fighting drug addiction.
Vaccination is more crucial for children as they are the ones vulnerable to contagious and serious diseases like measles. According to CDC, a two-dose measles vaccine is 97 percent effective, which is enough to prevent the illness from ever occurring if everyone will support vaccination programs.
Aside from the United States, measles outbreak has been reported in other parts of the globe, due to the same reason. In the Philippines, for example, the current measles outbreak in the country is attributed to a scientifically unfounded vaccine scare.