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Health Officials Warn Against Measles Parties Amid Rising Cases in Texas
As measles infections continue to escalate in Texas, health authorities are issuing strong warnings against the practice of “measles parties,” labeling it both “foolish” and hazardous to public health.
The warning comes in light of an ongoing outbreak in West Texas, where health officials have recorded 146 cases since late January. The outbreak has now extended into New Mexico, contributing to increasing health concerns in surrounding regions. Tragically, an unvaccinated school-aged child in the area has died as a result of this surge in cases.
Canada is also witnessing a spike in measles cases, particularly in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, indicating a broader public health challenge across North America.
Measles is recognized as one of the most contagious viruses globally, transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. Children are the most vulnerable, which is why health officials are actively discouraging the hosting of “measles parties.”
These gatherings, organized by some parents in an effort to intentionally expose their children to the virus for immunity development, mirror the concept of “chickenpox parties” that were seen prior to the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine.
During a media briefing on February 28, Ron Cook, chief health officer at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, underscored the seriousness of the situation. He warned of severe potential outcomes, including pneumonia and even death, underscoring that complications like encephalitis—an inflammation of the brain—or even a rare condition known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can arise years after the initial infection, which can be fatal.
The Risks of Measles
Cook criticized the notion of these parties, noting that he has seen references to them circulating on social media. He stated, “It’s not good to go have measles parties … let me discourage you from doing this. We can’t predict who is going to do poorly with measles, be hospitalized and potentially get pneumonia or encephalitis and or pass away from this.”
He emphasized, “It is just too risky … we don’t get to pick and choose who is going to do well and not do well when you become severely ill. Please don’t do that; it’s just foolishness, it’s playing roulette.”
To combat the rising tide of measles illnesses, Cook reiterated the importance of vaccination as the most effective preventative measure.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also advocated for vaccination against measles, aiming to control the outbreak. In a recent social media post, he expressed that addressing the measles outbreak is a priority for his department, stating that they would be distributing 2,000 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to Texas as part of their immunization program.
In an opinion piece published over the weekend, Kennedy emphasized that vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity, which is vital for those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. He urged parents to consult healthcare providers regarding the MMR vaccine, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring their children’s health.
— With contributions from various sources
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globalnews.ca