Mary Kakatos
Appearances
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
So in western Texas, we have around 300 cases confirmed. The majority of those cases are in unvaccinated people and those who have unknown vaccination status. Children and teenagers are making up the majority of cases. So the majority of cases have actually been in those age 17 and under. We have more than 30 people who have been hospitalized and even one death in an unvaccinated school age child.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
No, it is not limited to just Texas, even though that is where the majority of cases are. There have been cases confirmed in nearby New Mexico. Health officials believe there is a link, but that is still being investigated. And there have been cases confirmed in at least 12 other states, CDC data shows us.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
It is just about anywhere that you could think, north, south, east, west.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
So this is not the first outbreak in recent memory. We have had sporadic outbreaks occur over the last few years, but this outbreak has just been spreading quite rapidly because it is affecting a pocket of western Texas that has been
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
very low vaccination rates compared to the rest of the state and the rest of the country, and a very high rate of exemptions, meaning that lots of parents have exempted their kids from receiving at least one vaccine that they need to attend school. So this is making this outbreak much different than some other outbreaks that we've seen in recent years.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
So this outbreak first began in late January when the first case was confirmed. The majority of people who are living in that community are of the Mennonite community.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
There's nothing that says that this community can't get vaccinated. But unfortunately, anti-vax advocates have descended upon this community and have been spreading misinformation about how this vaccine is dangerous or that measles is okay for your child to get. And it will create natural immunity against other diseases. and is unfortunately putting many people at risk.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
The vaccine is incredibly safe and effective. There's two doses that are recommended. One dose is 93% effective. Two doses are 97% effective. And even if you do happen to get a breakthrough case, it is very, very mild. Measles is not a benign virus, and it can cause really severe complications.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
Sure. So one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. About one in 10 children can develop ear infections, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. One in 20 children will develop pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death in children who get measles.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
And about one in 1,000 kids will develop encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, which is, of course, very, very severe and could unfortunately... to severe neurological complications and unfortunately even death.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
Yeah, there have been several doctors across the state and in particularly western Texas who have been getting the word out, trying to remind parents about the dangers of measles, why it is such a dangerous disease, the benefits of vaccination.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
And they have been hosting vaccine clinics, giving people the opportunity to either get their child vaccinated for the first time, have them catch up on doses that they they missed or even adults who never got vaccinated themselves to get that vaccine. And even Texas health officials and the CDC has also recommended this as well to try to get this outbreak under control.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
They are recommending a third early dose of the vaccine. So for kids between ages six months to 11 months to get a vaccine dose and then to get two regularly scheduled doses, the one that you would get at about a year old and then the one that you would get from ages four to six.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
And that way it gives really, really young kids who have, of course, very sensitive immune systems a bit of a boost to protect them until they can get their regularly scheduled doses.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
Well, that remains to be seen. Hopefully, Texas health officials will be able to get this outbreak under control. Unfortunately, measles does have a bit of an ability to spread like wildfire. These outbreaks can get out of control rather quickly unless they are detected and contained. But it will really remain to be seen what occurs over the next several weeks and months.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
So, yeah, CDC health officials have helped on the ground. The majority of responses to measles outbreaks when they occur in states are actually up to local and state health officials. And the CDC just helps with anything that they need. But CDC officials did actually go to Texas. They were on the ground helping out if states needed.
Today, Explained
Make America Measles Again (MAMA)
But the majority is actually up to state and local health officials to control the spread of outbreaks and kind of request the help of the CDC if it's needed.