Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Concerns over the measles are back in the United States. There have been 23 documented cases of measles, but none in New York. However, it still has one local pediatrician worried.
"Measles is highly contagious, highly infectious, and can be very dangerous to young children and to pregnant women," said Dr. Steven Lana in an interview with WBEN.
92% of the population is vaccinated for measles, with the goal being 95%. Lana warns measles can be deadly for the population that is not vaccinated.
"Measles can cause pneumonia. Measles can cause inflammation of the brain. Measles can cause deafness. It's entirely preventable with vaccination," Dr. Lana said.
Dr. Lana adds it's easy for measles to be spread.
"The measles virus can stay airborne for up to two hours," he said. "So basically walking into a room with somebody who sneezes or coughs or has measles will spread that measles virus. And if that person in the room is not fully protected by having been vaccinated, they will get measles. It can be tricky because measles can be contagious up to four days before the typical rash is observed and up to four days after the rash develops. There are periods of time during which somebody a child may have measles and it may be difficult to make the diagnosis until that characteristic measles rash develops."
Lana says all children, as soon as they reach their one-year birthday, should be vaccinated anytime between 12 months and 15 months. He adds the vaccine is safe.