x
Breaking News
More () »

As measles returns to the US, local doctors urge vaccination

25 percent of those who get the disease end up being hospitalized.

SAN ANTONIO — Measles, a disease that was previously eliminated in the U.S., is now spreading across the country at a record pace.

No cases have been reported in San Antonio, but concerns are growing the disease could soon make an impact here. 

Dr. Ryan Van Ramshorst,a University Health pediatrician, said the disease is spreading, having popped up in major cities across Texas. The big concern is how harmful it can be to anyone not immunized against it.

“Since 2003 we have seen a twentyfold increase in the number of school age children who are not receiving the recommended vaccines, and that amounts to about 60,000 school age children in Texas," he said. 

Van Ramshorst is joining medical professionals across the country in warning how serious measles can be. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 25 percent of people who get measles will be hospitalized. The virus is also extremely contagious.

“Nine out of 10 people that interact with that person are going to get measles if they’re not protected," Van Ramshorst said. 

Portland is learning this firsthand. A state of emergency has been declared for a measles outbreak there. 

“There are 23 cases of measles which was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000," Van Ramshorst said. "Most of those cases are children, and most of those cases are people who were not immunized.”

According to the CDC, the full course of measles vaccine is 97 percent effective, but Van Ramshorst said he understands parents have questions about the measles vaccine.

Nonetheless, he urges parents and caregivers to get their questions answered by medical professionals and have their child vaccinated.

“Immunizations are perhaps the most important thing I can do for kids to keep them healthy and able to go to school and become healthy productive citizens," Van Ramshorst said. 

In Texas there are ways to be exempt from the measles vaccine, including exempting due to personal belief, religious basis and also undergoing treatment for something else entirely. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out