AUGUSTA, Ga. – Measles cases have surged dramatically across North America, with Canada reporting more than 5,000 cases as of last month — more than twice as many as the previous 25 years combined.
The increase led to Canada losing its measles elimination status, raising concerns that the United States could face a similar situation.
“We have seen quite the dramatic increase in measles really across North America,” said Dr. Kisha Davis with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Among the places dealing with an outbreak is the Upstate region of South Carolina, with dozens of cases.
Davis said measles is a serious respiratory illness characterized by sore throat, high fever, cough and a rash on the body. Serious complications in severe cases include pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.
The virus is highly contagious.
“Nine out of 10 people that are exposed to someone with measles, if they are not vaccinated, 9 out of 10 of them are expected to contract measles. That’s quite a high number,” Davis said.
U.S. cases climb
The latest Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention data reports 1,681 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year as of November 4. Of those, 92 percent were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
“It’s very concerning that we are seeing this illness to be on the rise, especially when we know that there are very simple steps that can be done to prevent it,” Davis said.
Davis said vaccination against measles is the best protection. It’s typically given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose given at four to six years old.
“We really do encourage folks to get that vaccine and making sure that kids are getting it and staying up to date,” Davis said.
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