A recent report (JR Zucker et al. NEJM 2020; 382: 1009-17) highlights an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, measles. Measles is much more contagious than the recent coronavirus; this is one reason why a vaccine is so crucial.
In total, there were 649 cases confirmed –most of the cases were in a close-knit community in Brooklyn, NY. 86% of the cases with a known vaccination history occurred in those who were unvaccinated. 49 required hospitalization. The cost to the Department of Health was $8.4 million.
My take: The health consequences and cost of not preventing measles is staggering -though being eclipsed by the coronavirus pandemic. The toll in Europe has been much higher. Worldwide more than 140,000 died from measles in 2018.
Related blog posts:
- Measles Outbreak
- “Because It Doesn’t Just Happen to Other People …
- Tweets: Measles in Samoa, NAFLD, Infusion Issues, WIC Helping Obesity, Pediatric Data on Liver Stiffness, Peanut Allergy Prevention
- More Measles Cases -Here’s the Data | gutsandgrowth
- Vaccine Safety -Put into Perspective | gutsandgrowth
- Life and Limb: The Price of Not Vaccinating Children …
- Why Rich Kids Get Measles More Often in the U.S. | gutsandgrowth
- Parental Immunity (to Education) and Vaccine Decision-Making …
- Live longer -don’t take your vitamins? | gutsandgrowth
- Measles, Seizures and Sometimes Death due to Vaccine Delays and Avoidance
- Measles & Obesity Tweets
From Georgia Department of Health: COVID-19 Status Report
It is important to understand that some data, particularly in the last 2 weeks, may not be reported yet.
Related blog post (April 24): Why Georgia Isn’t Ready to Reopen
