Measles has garnered significant attention in various parts of the country. In the Philadelphia area, nine individuals tested positive for measles following an outbreak at a day care facility in late December. Additionally, health officials in Virginia issued a warning about potential measles exposure after an infected person traveled through two airports in early January. Health providers in Washington state were also alerted about possible measles infections after six individuals contracted the illness at a family gathering. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 23 confirmed cases of measles between December 1 and January 23.
Meanwhile, cases of tuberculosis have been reported in schools in Pennsylvania and Las Vegas in the past week. In 2022, polio, a virus known for causing paralysis and previously a dreaded disease in the U.S., was detected in New York’s Rockland County.
The reemergence of these diseases can be attributed to various factors, according to infectious disease experts. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, emphasized the role of insufficient vaccination, stating that “It’s vaccines that have eliminated these diseases. If you withhold children from vaccination, you will create pockets of susceptibility.” Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Buffalo, pointed out that declining vaccination rates in the country, partly due to the anti-vaccination movement, along with missed doses during the pandemic, have contributed to the situation. Additionally, increased travel post-pandemic to regions where these diseases are more prevalent has led to their reintroduction to the U.S.
Moreover, the lack of firsthand experience with these diseases has caused some individuals to underestimate the severity of the threat they pose. Dr. Schaffner noted that “When these diseases are reintroduced to our population, there is always a great surprise at how readily they spread and how ill they can make people.” He added that historical information about these diseases hasn’t been adequately communicated due to their absence for many years.
Although the number of cases of these diseases remains relatively low, the potential impact on those affected is significant. Dr. William A. Petri, an infectious disease expert at UVA Health, stressed that while measles cases are still unusual in the U.S., the diseases can cause serious illness. Dr. Russo highlighted the highly contagious nature of measles and its potential lethality, as well as the severe consequences of polio and tuberculosis if left untreated.
Considering the risks, health experts recommend that adults who have not been vaccinated against these diseases should consider doing so. Dr. Petri advised consulting a primary care physician or the local health department to receive the necessary vaccines. Dr. Schaffner also emphasized the importance of adult vaccination, particularly given the potentially severe outcomes of these diseases in adults.
