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Healthwatch

Measles Is Making A Comeback: Can We Stop It?

~6.0 mins read

Seven things to know about the recent measles outbreaks.

Has the recent news about measles outbreaks in the US surprised you? Didn’t it seem like we were done with measles?

In the US, widespread vaccination halted the ongoing spread of measles more than 20 years ago, a major public health achievement. Before an effective vaccine was developed in the 1960s, nearly every child in the US got measles. Complications like measles-related pneumonia or hearing loss were common, and 400 to 500 people died each year.

As I write this, there have been 1,227 confirmed cases in 36 states, mostly among children. The biggest outbreak is in west Texas, where 97 people have been hospitalized and two unvaccinated school-age children recently died, the first measles deaths in the US since 2015. Officials in New Mexico have also reported a measles-related death.

Can we prevent these tragedies?

Measles outbreaks are highly preventable. It’s estimated that when 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, both those individuals and others in their community are protected against measles.

But nationally, measles vaccination rates among school-age kids fell from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023. Within Texas, the kindergarten vaccination rates have dipped below 95% in about half of all state counties. In the community at the center of the west Texas outbreak, the reported rate is 82%. Declining vaccination rates are common in other parts of the US, too, and that leaves many people vulnerable to measles infections.

Only 3% of the recent cases in the US involved people known to be fully vaccinated. The rest were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccine status (95%), or they had received only one of the two vaccine doses (2%).

What to know about measles

As measles outbreaks occur within more communities, it’s important to understand why this happens — and how to stop it. Here are seven things to know about measles.

The measles virus is highly contagious

Several communities have suffered outbreaks in recent years. The measles virus readily spreads from person to person through the air we breathe. It can linger in the air for hours after a sneeze or cough. Estimates suggest nine out of 10 nonimmune people exposed to measles will become infected. Measles is far more contagious than the flu, COVID-19, or even Ebola.

Early diagnosis is challenging

It usually takes seven to 14 days for symptoms to show up once a person gets infected. Common early symptoms — fever, cough, runny nose — are similar to other viral infections such as colds or flu. A few days into the illness, painless, tiny white spots in the mouth (called Koplik spots) appear. But they’re easy to miss, and are absent in many cases. A day or two later, a distinctive skin rash develops.

Unfortunately, a person with measles is highly contagious for days before the Koplik spots or skin rash appear. Very often, others have been exposed by the time measles is diagnosed and precautions are taken.

Measles can be serious and even fatal

Measles is not just another cold. A host of complications can develop, including

brain inflammation (encephalitis), which can lead to seizures, hearing loss, or intellectual disability

pneumonia

eye inflammation (and occasionally, vision loss)

poor pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare and lethal disease of the brain that can develop years after the initial measles infection.

Complications are most common among children under age 5, adults over age 20, pregnant women, and people with an impaired immune system. Measles is fatal in up to three of every 1,000 cases.

During the latest outbreaks, 148 cases — about one in eight — have required hospitalization.

Getting measles may suppress your immune system

When you get sick from a viral or bacterial infection, antibodies created by your immune system will later recognize and help mount a defense against these intruders. In 2019, a study at Harvard Medical School (HMS) found that the measles virus may wipe out up to three-quarters of antibodies protecting against viruses or bacteria that a child was previously immune to — anything from strains of the flu to herpesvirus to bacteria that cause pneumonia and skin infections.

“If your child gets the measles and then gets pneumonia two years later, you wouldn’t necessarily tie the two together. The symptoms of measles itself may be only the tip of the iceberg,” said the study’s first author, Dr. Michael Mina, who was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of geneticist Stephen Elledge at HMS and Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the time of the study.

In this video, Mina and Elledge discuss their findings.

Vaccination is highly effective

Two doses of the current vaccine provide 97% protection — much higher than most other vaccines. Rarely, a person gets measles despite being fully vaccinated. When that happens, the disease tends to be milder and less likely to spread to others.

The measles vaccine is safe

The safety profile of the measles vaccine is excellent. Common side effects include temporary soreness in the arm, low-grade fever, and muscle pain, as is true for most vaccinations. A suggestion that measles or other vaccines cause autism has been convincingly discredited. However, this often-repeated misinformation has contributed to significant vaccine hesitancy and falling rates of vaccination.

Ways to protect yourself from measles infection

Vaccination. Usually, children are given the first dose around age 1 and the second between ages 4 and 6 as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. If a child — or adult — hasn’t been vaccinated, they can have these doses later.

If you were born after 1957 and received a measles vaccination before 1968, consider getting revaccinated or tested for measles antibodies (see below). The vaccine given before 1968 was less effective than later versions. And before 1957, most people became immune after having measles, although this immunity can wane.

Isolation. To limit spread, everyone diagnosed with measles and anyone who might be infected should avoid close contact with others until four days after the rash resolves.

Mask-wearing by people with measles can help prevent spread to others. Household members or other close contacts should also wear a mask to avoid getting it.

Frequent handwashing helps keep the virus from spreading.

Testing. If you aren’t sure about your measles vaccination history or whether you may be vulnerable to infection, consider having a blood test to find out if you’re immune to measles. Memories about past vaccinations can be unreliable, especially if decades have gone by, and immunity can wane.

Pre-travel planning. If you are headed to a place where measles is common, make sure you are up to date with vaccinations.

The bottom line

While news about measles in recent months may have been a surprise, it’s also alarming. Experts warn that the number of cases (and possibly deaths) are likely to increase. And due to falling vaccination rates, outbreaks are bound to keep occurring. One study estimates that between nine and 15 million children in the US could be susceptible to measles.

But there’s also good news: we know that measles outbreaks can be contained and the disease itself can be eliminated. Learn how to protect yourself and your family. Engage respectfully with people who are vaccine hesitant: share what you’ve learned from reliable sources about the disease, especially about the well-established safety of vaccination.

Harvard Health Publishing

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News_Naija

Why I Keep My Family Secret Johnny Drille

~5.1 mins read

Singer, songwriter and music producer, John Ighodaro, popularly known as Johnny Drille, tells NAOMI CHIMA about his life and career What inspires your creative process, and how do you manage to fuse different styles seamlessly? I have always loved storytelling. Growing up, I listened to a lot of folk, country, gospel, and alternative music. So, I draw inspiration from life, faith, love, and my everyday experiences. It’s got a bit of everything, and I personally think that’s how to make the most incredible music. You’ve had an impressive run since joining Mavin Records. What’s been the most significant lesson you’ve learnt from Don Jazzy, and how has it impacted your music? Being with Don Jazzy and Mavin Records has taught me the value of consistency and patience, building brick by brick. Sometimes it takes years for people to fully connect with a sound. He also encourages creative freedom and supports you to refine your identity, as well as make sure you’re heading in the right direction as an artiste. Can you share the inspiration behind your tours and the Johnny Drille Room Live? Johnny’s Room Live is very dear to me. It started from wanting to create an intimate space where my fans can truly connect with the music and with me. The energy and love I get from those rooms, which have grown to become large parks and halls, are indescribable. That’s it. What are the significant experiences you have had on the tour, especially outside Nigeria? It was surreal. The first time I heard people singing my lyrics back to me in a country that I’d never been to hit me in such a special way. It made me realise how music truly travels beyond borders. One significant moment was backstage after my show in Manchester (United Kingdom), and a couple came to me in tears, talking about how my music has helped their autistic son. That was very heartwarming to me. Tell us about your family and educational trajectory and how it influenced your songwriting skills and lyrical depth. I grew up in a Christian family; my dad is a pastor and was a school principal. Church music shaped a lot of my musical foundation. I started as a singer and keyboardist in my father’s church with my siblings at the age of 11 in 2001. I later joined a music group called Soul Awakening Singers with my siblings and some friends. I studied English and Literature at the University of Benin, Edo State, which deeply influenced my love for words and storytelling. That blend of faith, music, and literature shaped my approach to making intentional music. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt from your parents, and how has it influenced your values and approach to life? I have learnt a lot from my family. My siblings were the only friends I had while growing up. My parents did not allow my siblings and I to go out often so that we wouldn’t mix up with the wrong people. But, one of the best lessons I learnt is this, “Never lose who you are, and never forget where you’re coming from.” I have always kept that in my heart to date. How has fatherhood changed your perspective on life and music? Becoming a father changes you in so many ways and yes it has changed me too. More than anything, I always want to be there for my daughter, just as my dad has been there for me. It’s a crazy world that we live in, and I want her to become the amazing person she’s destined to be. And that extends to the music as well; it has just made me more intentional about my storytelling. How do you manage to keep your private life away from the public glare? I believe some parts of life are sacred. I share what I’m comfortable with, but I keep my family life grounded and protected. It helps maintain peace of mind and allows me to nurture relationships without external pressure. What’s the craziest or most memorable fan encounter you’ve ever had? The craziest experience was with a fan who worked at a hotel and tried to sneak into my room around 3 am. It was a really scary experience. The most memorable would be seeing 3000 people show up for me at my first-ever live show in 2018. That day will always be special to me. If you weren’t a musician, what other profession would you have pursued, and why? If I weren’t a musician, I think I’d probably be a film director. I love storytelling; it is in my DNA. I naturally love creating emotional journeys, whether through lyrics or visuals. What’s one thing you can’t live without on tour, and what’s the most essential item in your studio? One thing I can’t live without on a tour, or the essential item in my studio, will most likely be my laptop, because it literally carries my whole work in it. What do you consider to be your most significant contribution to the music industry? I think I have brought something different. My style is different, and I have done what a lot of people were afraid to do, and excelled at it in the industry. So people can now try new trends and excel at them, too. How do you hope to be remembered by future generations? I want to be remembered as someone who made timeless and meaningful music. I want my generation and those unborn to remember me for that. What’s your favourite food? I love pounded yam and egusi soup (laughs). How do you relax after a stressful day? After a long day, I love spending quiet time with my family and/or watching a good movie. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry, and how do you think artistes can adapt to the ever-changing landscape? The industry is fast-paced, oversaturated, and content-driven now. My thoughts are that artistes need to stay true to their sound while embracing new ways to connect. I have always known and will say that authenticity will always cut through the noise. You’ve collaborated with many local and international artistes over the years. Who has been your most memorable collaborator, and what influence have they had on your music? Working with Don Jazzy has changed my life in so many ways. He brought out a new layer of my sound. Another standout was collaborating with Styl-Plus, whose music I grew up on. It felt like a full-circle moment. What advice would you give to emerging artistes? I will tell them to focus on their craft. Trends will come and go, but skill and authenticity are timeless. Don’t be afraid to be different, because your uniqueness is your strength. What do you find most fulfilling about your career? I find my ability to touch lives very fulfilling. The thought of knowing that a song I wrote in my room can resonate across the world and bring comfort, joy, or hope is the greatest fulfillment for me. What lessons have you learnt in the course of your career that you wish you had known earlier? I have learnt that brick by brick, little by little, is the best way to build a long-lasting career.

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