South Middlesex Times

The United States is experiencing a rise in measles outbreaks, with 16 recorded last year compared to four in 2023. In 2025, three outbreaks have been reported across 12 states, resulting in the deaths of an unvaccinated child and adult. The decline in kindergarten vaccination rates nationwide raises concerns about the potential spread of this disease, which was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can lead to serious complications. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Texas, New Mexico, and Bergen County, New Jersey. Most of the 222 cases involve children who were not vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Margaret Quinn, a clinical professor at Rutgers School of Nursing specializing in pediatrics, explains the factors contributing to these outbreaks and how individuals can protect themselves. She highlights that "94% of the current measles cases we are reading about were in unimmunized people; 80% of current cases are children under 19 years old."

Quinn attributes these outbreaks to global travel and varying vaccination compliance rates worldwide. "Outbreaks of measles occur as we are a worldwide community," she notes. The decision by some parents not to vaccinate their children creates vulnerabilities for measles transmission.

New Jersey has several counties with high proportions of unvaccinated children due to religious exemptions: Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, Ocean, and Sussex. Quinn warns that "a parent’s decision not to vaccinate a child against measles puts infants everywhere at risk for this killer disease."

Measles is extremely contagious; one infected person can transmit it to up to 18 others through airborne droplets that linger for hours after exposure. Those most at risk include young children who haven't received their vaccines and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Complications from measles can be severe and require hospitalization. They include bacterial infections like pneumonia or encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can result in permanent brain damage or death.

Addressing misconceptions about vaccines is crucial for prevention efforts. Myths linking the measles vaccine to autism have been debunked repeatedly over its more than six decades of safe use.

Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune; however, those vaccinated between 1963-1968 should verify their immunization status due to changes in vaccine formulations over time.

Pregnant women face additional risks from measles due to immune system stressors during pregnancy but remain protected if properly vaccinated previously since immunity does not wane significantly over time accordingly without booster recommendations currently advised beyond standard protocols post-1989 outbreak guidelines providing enhanced protection levels among younger cohorts thereafter initiated accordingly based upon evolving public health insights informed thereby guiding ongoing surveillance strategies effectively mitigating future occurrences proactively addressing emergent challenges comprehensively managed collaboratively advancing shared objectives optimizing outcomes sustainably achieved collectively pursued responsibly stewarded diligently monitored transparently accountable engaged stakeholders committed fully aligned interests mutually beneficially supported constructively resolved enduringly reinforced perpetually maintained indefinitely preserved equitably distributed 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