Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Public health officials are fighting the biggest measles outbreak in the U.S. in over a quarter century and so far nothing has stopped the spread of the disease.
Dr Katherine Mullin, Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, finds it ironic. "In 2000, measles was declared eradicated in the United States because we had done such a great job of immunizing. But unfortunately because of vaccine hesitancy, we're now facing over 700 cases in the U.S."
A. Anyone born before 1957 is considered immunized for life because they were likely exposed to it as children, when measles was rampant. Anyone born between 1957 and 1989, likely received one dose of the measles vaccine. That has relatively good protection. New guidelines went into effect in 1989 because pockets of measles existed. " A second measles booster was given. Children would get their first vaccination at age 1, and their second between ages 4 and 6," said Mullin. The booster helped eradicate measles within ten years. Dr. Mullin said, "93% of people responded with immunity to the first vaccine and 97% of people responded to the second".
Q. Do people in Western New York have to be concerned?
A. Dr. Mullin said it depends on whether you got the second vaccine. "If you were born before 1989, it would be good to check your medical records and see if you did get a second booster. Many people did," she said. But if you didn't or you're not sure, it would be good to check with your doctor to see if you should get a booster, or have a titer test to check your immunity to measles.
Q. If you have been exposed to measles, how long is the incubation period before symptoms appear?
A. 5-21 days. It's a long time and one of the reasons why measles is particularly worrysome. You can be exposed to someone and not get sick for up to 3 weeks. And you can be contagious before you have the typical rash and for several days after the rash appears.
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough and red, watery eyes. Measles spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person.
