North Carolina is now seeing local transmission of measles.
The state has reported 11 cases of measles since December, mainly in the western part of the state. In most cases, the patients had visited South Carolina, where a substantial outbreak of measles is underway.
However, the North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services says there’s now at least one case of community spread, and low vaccination rates could put some counties at risk of more.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be easily spread when someone who has the virus talks, coughs or sneezes near others. Remarkably, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after a person infected with measles leaves the room.
Epidemiologists say a vaccination rate of 95% is needed to stop community spread of measles. About half the counties in North Carolina don’t meet that threshold.
According to the state’s measles vaccination dashboard, three counties are below 90%: Durham County is tied with Cherokee County for the lowest vaccination rates among children at just 88%, and Polk County rounds out the bottom three with 89%. More than 40 other counties fall below 95%, including Wake, Mecklenburg and Guilford.
UNC Professor of Medicine and infectious disease expert Dr. David Wohl told NC Newsline last fall that the effectiveness of the measles vaccine was a great triumph. Unfortunately, some parents still decide not to vaccinate their children.
“And we are seeing somebody come in from another place where measles is endemic and infecting people, then it spreads like wildfire,” said Wohl.
Of the eleven reported cases in North Carolina, 64% were unvaccinated and 34% had received only one dose of the MMR vaccine, according to NCDHHS.
The disease can be especially dangerous for babies and young children. Complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis or swelling of the brain. Symptoms of measles begin 7-21 days after exposure. They can include high fever, cough, white spots inside the mouth, and a blotchy rash that begins on the face.
Anyone who develops symptoms is urged to contact their local health department, limit their exposure to others, and call ahead before visiting their doctor or the emergency room to avoid exposing others, according to NCDHHS..
Grandparents for Vaccines, a national non-partisan group, is also working to sound the alarm about unvaccinated children.
“Measles is not a harmless childhood illness. It is a dangerous virus that can cause lifelong injury or death,” said Dr. Arthur Lavin, a retired pediatrician and the founder of the nonprofit. “Before vaccines, children were often hospitalized or permanently harmed. As a grandparent, it is heartbreaking to see preventable suffering return.”
Most people who do get vaccinated with MMR will be protected for life.
Earlier this month, NCDHHS launched a new Measles Cases and Outbreaks dashboard to provide the public with updated information. The dashboard is updated twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.
As of Thursday, North Carolina had recorded cases of measles in Buncombe (6), Rutherford (1), Polk (2), and Cabarrus County (2).
Since December, cases of measles have been reported in Buncombe, Rutherford, Polk, and Cabarrus County. (Map: NCDHHS)Hence then, the article about as measles cases tick higher many nc counties could see outbreaks was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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