NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The World Health Organization warns that measles is spreading rapidly around the world.
The WHO reports a 79 percent increase in infections and a 43 percent increase in deaths in 2022.
The agency expects the number of measles deaths to rise again last year, with more than 306,000 cases.
The disease causes a rash and other typical signs of the disease, such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose.
Fortunately, there were no measles cases reported in Tennessee from 2020 to 2022, but just last month, a case was confirmed via Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Elementary schools in Florida are currently on high alert after four confirmed cases of measles.
Measles was declared eradicated in the United States more than 20 years ago.
Health experts believe declining vaccination rates are threatening herd immunity and causing a surge in cases. To achieve herd immunity, 98% of the population needs to be vaccinated against the disease.
This is concerning because measles is one of the most rapidly contagious diseases.
“If I had measles and it was in the air when I coughed, it would stay in the air for about 30 minutes,” said Dr. Michelle Baron, senior medical director of infection prevention at UC Health. There is a possibility.” “So you’re standing in line at the grocery store after me, you’re not even vaccinated, and 30 minutes later, an hour later, measles is still in the air. If you inhale it, you can become infected, and so the number of people to increase the attack rate can be much higher than in most of the situations we’re used to, where you have to be with someone. .”
of CDC recommends that children receive their first vaccination between 12 and 15 months of age.
The vaccine is available weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. at the Lentz Public Health Center on Charlotte Avenue in Nashville.
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