Guest Author - Jamie Robertson

Thanks to childhood vaccinations, only six cases of confirmed measles have been reported in the United States in the past three years. While rare, those who are not vaccinated for measles can still become infected if they are exposed. This is what has happened in the Pittsburgh area.

On March 31, 2009, three individuals were diagnosed with measles. Two of the cases are siblings under the age of five and the third individual is the children’s father. According to the Allegheny County Health Department, neither child had been vaccinated and the father had only received two of the three recommended vaccines.

The fourth case was announced on April 3, 2009. The fourth patient is a resident at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The vaccination status of this individual is not currently known.

The source of the measles outbreak is still under scrutiny. Officials say that they are looking for someone who has measles and has recently visited a country where measles is more common. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is conducting an investigation to determine the source and prevent more cases. In addition, they are attempting to determine the number of individuals in the area who might be at risk due to lack of vaccination.

Information about Measles

Measles is an infectious disease that is spread from person to person primarily through the respiratory system. Individuals who have measles are contagious starting four days before they develop a rash until four days after the rash disappears.

Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis, and a rash that begins on the face.

Groups who are most at risk include those who have not been vaccinated (including infants under one year of age), persons who were vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine used from 1963-1967 who have not been revaccinated, and those born after 1957 who only received one vaccine.

While measles is rarely fatal (only about three per thousand cases dies) it is very uncomfortable and causes many complications, including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis, and corneal ulceration.

The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubeola) is recommended for all children between the ages of 12 to fifteen months. Two vaccinations are required, the second four weeks after the first.