Measles, a disease once thought to be eradicated, is on the rise nationwide with outbreaks reported in major cities including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Despite advances in medicine, measles remains a serious threat, prompting health officials to issue warnings.
The symptoms of measles can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash that appears a few days after symptoms show. Outbreaks have been reported in New York, Chicago and Allegheny County. In Allegheny County, health officials are closely monitoring the situation.
Dr. Barbara Nightingale of the Allegheny County Health Department reports that while the county has managed measles cases effectively so far, vaccination rates have been declining. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that this decline is due to vaccination fears and false beliefs about links to autism. It’s important to note that there is no link between measles vaccinations and autism.
The potential complications of measles are serious and can be life-threatening. Preventing measles is simple – get vaccinated. The Allegheny County Health Department offers measles vaccines and encourages everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from the disease. For more information on getting vaccinated, visit the department’s website.
