Measles Cases Rise Sharply as More Young People Fall Ill
Measles cases are climbing rapidly, with the number of infections in California already doubling compared to all of last year. This sharp increase is happening even though the current year is only about half over.
So far, there have been 52 confirmed cases of measles in the state during the first six and a half months of the year. This is a major jump from the 25 cases reported during the entirety of last year. If this rate of infection continues, the state is on track to see its highest number of cases in ten years. The last major spike occurred about a decade ago when 125 people caught the virus, with many of those illnesses linked to an outbreak at a popular Southern California theme park.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The vast majority of people catching the virus do not have protection against it. Out of the 52 cases identified this year, 49 patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history. The illness can be severe, and four of these patients had to be hospitalized.
Children and teenagers are the ones getting sick most often. The age breakdown of the cases includes:
- 27 cases involving children and teens between the ages of 5 and 19.
- 15 cases involving young children under the age of 5.
The virus is spreading in local communities. One large Southern California county has identified seven cases among its residents, while a neighboring county has reported four cases.
A National Rise in Cases
This spike is part of a larger trend across the entire country. Nationwide, measles cases are very close to passing last year's total. The United States is on track to reach its highest number of infections since the late 1980s and early 1990s.
By the middle of summer, the country had already recorded 2,260 cases, compared to 2,289 cases in all of last year. Last year's total was already the highest since a major epidemic decades ago, which caused over 55,000 illnesses and 166 deaths.
Most of these infections are grouped together, with 93% of cases linked to specific outbreaks. There have been 34 separate outbreaks across the nation so far this year. This rapid spread puts unvaccinated people, including babies who are too young to get their shots, at high risk for serious illness.
Airport Exposure Warnings
Travelers carrying the virus have recently passed through a major international airport in Southern California, potentially exposing others.
In one recent case, a young person who had been living overseas arrived on a flight from Mexico, which is currently experiencing a major measles outbreak. The child was contagious while walking through the international terminal on a mid-summer evening. People who were near the arrival gate or the baggage claim area during a two-hour window that night may have been exposed to the virus.
Earlier in the same month, another infectious traveler arrived at the same airport on a flight from London. This traveler spent time near a different gate in the international terminal and rode on a rental car shuttle bus.
Because measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air, anyone who was in these areas could be at risk. It can take 7 to 21 days for symptoms to appear after exposure. People who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk and must watch for symptoms for up to three weeks.
Protecting Babies and Young Travelers
Infants are especially vulnerable to the virus. At least two babies in the state have caught measles this year after traveling out of the country. One lived in Northern California and the other in Southern California. Since the start of the decade, there have been 11 reports of infants under one year old contracting measles in the state. Most of these babies had traveled internationally.
The measles vaccine is usually given to children after their first birthday, with a second dose between the ages of 4 and 6. However, families can take steps to protect younger children who are traveling to areas with active outbreaks:
- Infants aged 6 to 11 months can receive an early dose of the vaccine before traveling. They will still need their regular two doses later on to be fully protected.
- Children between the ages of 1 and 3 should get their second vaccine dose early if they are traveling internationally.
- Parents should try to get these shots at least two weeks before travel so the body has time to build protection.
The age of the child affects how well the vaccine works:
- Giving the vaccine at 6 months of age protects about 76% of babies.
- Giving it at 8 to 9 months protects about 85% of babies.
- Waiting until 12 months or older protects more than 95% of children.
The Power of Prevention
Measles is a dangerous virus that can lead to severe health problems, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death. It does not just affect people who travel; anyone who is unprotected can catch it if the virus enters their community.
The safest and most reliable way to prevent the disease is through vaccination. With the new school year starting soon, families are encouraged to check their children's immunization records and make sure they are fully protected.