In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in measles cases across the United States. As pediatricians at Park Pediatrics, we find this trend deeply troubling, as measles is a preventable disease that can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences for children and vulnerable populations. In this blog post, we want to shed light on the current measles situation in America, the importance of vaccination, indications for early measles vaccination for traveling abroad and what to do if you are concerned your child may have measles.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children. It is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms typically begin with a high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. Within a few days, a characteristic red, blotchy rash appears, usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.
While many may think of measles as a “mild” disease, it can lead to severe complications. These can include ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and even death. The risk of these complications is especially high in very young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
If you are concerned that you or your child may have measles, please do not leave your home. We ask that you call our office to set up a televisit so we can determine next steps. Since measles is extremely contagious it is important that you avoid taking your child to a waiting room in a clinic or emergency room. In fact the local health departments can arrange for testing in your home.
The Current Situation in America
Over the last few decades, the United States made tremendous progress in reducing the incidence of measles, largely thanks to the widespread use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared that measles had been eliminated from the U.S., meaning that the disease was no longer circulating continuously within the population.
However, in recent years, there has been a disturbing uptick in measles cases, driven largely by declining vaccination rates. In 2019, the U.S. saw the highest number of measles cases in 25 years, with outbreaks in multiple states, particularly in communities with lower vaccination rates. Maryland is not considered an outbreak state, but we have had three recent measles cases all related to travel. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted routine vaccinations for children, further contributing to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.
The rise of vaccine hesitancy—fueled by misinformation and misconceptions about vaccine safety—has been a significant factor in this resurgence. While vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and efficacy, some have become hesitant to vaccinate their children due to unfounded fears. As a result, pockets of unvaccinated children have emerged, creating environments where contagious diseases like measles can easily spread.
The Importance of Vaccination
As pediatricians, we cannot overstate the importance of vaccination in preventing measles and other infectious diseases. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and provides lifelong protection against measles. In fact, it is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of this disease and protect vulnerable populations, including infants who are too young to be vaccinated and individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
When vaccination rates fall below the necessary threshold for herd immunity (usually around 95%), outbreaks become more likely. Herd immunity occurs when a large enough portion of the population is immune to a disease, either through vaccination or previous infection, making it less likely for the disease to spread. Without this protection, unvaccinated individuals—especially those with weakened immune systems—are at greater risk.
This is one of many reasons why Park Pediatrics does not accept non-vaccinating families into our practice.
Indications for early measles vaccination if traveling abroad.
Please call our office if your family will be traveling abroad so we may advise you on the need for routine and travel vaccinations to keep you and your family safe during their travels. Please visit our travel clinic website at www.parktravelclinic.com
As pediatricians, we have witnessed firsthand the devastation that preventable diseases can cause. Measles may seem like a thing of the past, but it’s clear that complacency can have deadly consequences. The solution is simple: vaccination. We must protect our children, our families, and our communities by ensuring that everyone is vaccinated against measles and other preventable diseases.
Let’s continue to fight for a healthier future—one where diseases like measles are a distant memory, not a growing concern.
