Buzz
Thanks to the measles vaccine, once commonly seen in childhood, it’s now rare. In the U.S., more than 90% of people have received the MMR vaccine, so the disease isn’t widely circulating. But don’t get too comfortable—germs can still travel quickly.
The World Health Organization shared some concerning news about measles in Europe. After a decline in 2016, cases spiked in 2017, with more than 20,000 people contracting the disease and 35 fatalities.
This is a worldwide issue. Just last week, an Australian tourist brought the virus to New York City, potentially exposing people in various hotels and tourist spots, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Check the at-risk locations if you were in the city between February 16 and 21.)
Measles is highly contagious: before the vaccine, one person could spread it to an average of 20 others. The virus can linger for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves, which is why health officials in New York are so concerned about the tourist’s potential exposure locations.
To protect yourself and your children, ensure you get the measles vaccine, which is over 90 percent effective at preventing the disease—97 percent if you receive both recommended doses. If MMR has a bad reputation, it’s because of a fraudulent study from 20 years ago that falsely suggested a connection to autism; that theory has been completely debunked.
