Family health: Measles threat
Reports about measles exposures and outbreaks continued to make headlines in 2019.
New Zealand had an outbreak in January and the year closed with devastation in nearby Samoa. The Samoa measles outbreak began in September 2019. As of December 9, there had been 4,693 confi rmed cases of measles and 70 deaths, out of a population of only 201,316. In 2019 this is a tragedy. In addition to the public health issue, legal challenges have drawn attention to the balance between personal rights and public safety.
Measles can spread to others through the air when an infected person coughs. It lingers in the air for some time afterward. It is so infectious that, according to the CDC, “...if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.”
Why the complacency? I think two factors are important:
1. The misguided belief that the unvaccinated will be protected by the phenomenon of herd
Children’s Church Events
Breakfast Church Parish Hall at St John’s Church, Macaulay Road Sunday 5th January & 2nd February, 9am.
Crafts, activities, songs and breakfast! Come and be part of the fun.
All Age Service St John’s Church
10am on Sunday 19th January & 16th February. Family Worship Mix
Broadstone United Reformed Church Higher Blandford Road Sunday 19th January & 16th February, 10.30am Friendly, informal and relaxed. Find out about the Bible through creative ‘hands-on’ activities, sermon and discussion group.
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immunity. “Herd immunity is a kind of indirect protection against infection. When a large population becomes immune to a disease, the lack of circulating infection provides some protection for individuals in that population who are not immune even a single infected person can start a virus spreading through a community where there are unimmunized individuals. So, herd immunity is less protective.” (
www.cdc.gov)
2. The misguided belief that measles is not that serious an infection. The vaccine is combined with rubella (confusingly called German measles) vaccine, which is usually a mild illness.
Complacency and dissemination of erroneous information could easily lead to re-emergence of measles in the UK. As parents if you have concerns about vaccination, please speak to your health visitor, practice nurse or GP.
Dr Mark Bridgman Hadleigh Lodge Surgery
www.thehadleighpractice.nhs.uk
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