REGION- The Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) is calling on community members to take immediate action to protect themselves and their community against the increase of measles cases in the United States. As the number of cases continues to rise, CMDHD is stressing the importance of vaccination to end this easily spread and potentially dangerous disease in our community.
Measles has seen a comeback in recent years as travelers bring it to the U.S. from other countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. health department data shows nine states have recorded cases of measles in 2024: California, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington. “The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we’ve seen in the past few years,” John Vertefeuille, director of CDC’s Global Immunization Division, said in a statement. “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Urgent, targeted efforts are critical to prevent measles disease and deaths.”
Measles is very contagious and can spread rapidly among the unvaccinated, placing unprotected people — including children and those with immune system problems — at more risk. One sick person can infect many others.
Common measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, painful, watery eyes, and rash. About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. who get measles will end up in the hospital. Complications for some can lead to death.
Worldwide, measles kills more than 100,000 people a year, mostly children. These facts make it vital for every eligible person to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, a two-shot series, which has been proven safe and effective in preventing measles and its severe complications.
The MMR vaccine is recommended as a routine shot series for all children, starting after 12 months of age. A second dose is given at least 28 days later, usually when the child is 4-6 years old. CMDHD strongly advises everyone to ensure they are up to date with vaccines, either by talking to our Personal Health department or their primary care provider. The MMR vaccine not only protects the person who gets it but also helps create herd immunity, safeguarding those who cannot receive the vaccine because they are too young or ill.
CMDHD branch office information is listed online at https://www.cmdhd.org/locations. Vaccine clinic schedules are found at https://www.cmdhd.org/countyimmunizations. CMDHD Personal Health staff can be reached by calling 989-314-7570.
This article has been brought to you by Central Michigan District Health Department, which serves the counties of Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, and Roscommon.
Visit our website at www.cmdhd.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
