Local doctors express concern about rise in measles cases nationwide

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Measles has been posing threats to communities nationwide again after being pretty much eradicated in 2000. Now a case has been confirmed in West Virginia.

“It is something we need to be concerned about,” said Valley Health Chief Medical Officer Mathew Weimer. “The case number isn’t particularly high when we think about other conditions we see like influenza or COVID, but for a condition that was all but eliminated through vaccination 20 years ago to be seeing it making somewhat of a comeback is concerning because we have a very safe and effective vaccine that prevents it completely.”

Weimer says most of these cases seen in the U.S. have been brought in from those traveling abroad. The challenge is that more Americans have been choosing not to get their children vaccinated.

“Historically in the U.S. measles vaccination rates have been quite high, and in the last few years we’ve seen clusters and outbreaks of cases typically related to childhood vaccine rates being lower than they should be,” he said.

The major concern for doctors is how easily the disease spreads.

“Measles is probably the most infectious virus that exists,” Weimer said. “It’s a respiratory virus, it transmits through respiratory droplets, in some cases potentially a couple of hours after somebody with measles leaves a space, people in that space can be infected by droplets.”

Per the CDC, the measles vaccine is the only prevention we can rely upon. Not having that layer of protection can make it even more difficult to know if you are infected or infecting others.

“It’s concerning because someone could come over from visiting abroad having been exposed to measles and not realizing it and infecting people before they have any symptoms,” Weimer said. “That period between the time you’re exposed and the time you develop symptoms is anywhere between 1-2 weeks.”

It’s a reminder of the importance of routine childhood vaccines beginning at age 1, and again age 4 to 6.

If you’re not really sure if you’re up to date on your measles vaccine, you can go in to get a booster. You can also consider a booster if you’re about to travel abroad or head to college.

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