Measles Outbreak and the Centre for Disease Control - Essay Example

Measles Outbreak Insert Insert s Introduction Recently, U.S has faced an increase in the rate of measles infection inthe community. The prevalence of measles has risen from the average figures of 220 cases per annum in 644 cases in 2014. The rise in measles is because of various local and national health problems. It highlights a growing problem in California and country. This article would examine measles, its main source, and the issues that cause it and develop a campaign to address its issue. What began as an outbreak of measles among seven people, who in December visited Disneyland, has drastically spread to over 26 women. The unvaccinated women from California transmitted the virus in theme parks and Airports (Gastañaduy, et al., 2014). The State Health departments from Colorado, California, Washington, and Utah have confirmed cases of an extremely contagious strain of measles. These cases, taken together, they would account for about 12% of all measles cases reported in United States over the last one year. The Centre for Disease Control, (CDC) projects that there are about 220 cases of measles reported per annum (Gahr, et al., 2014). According to the CDC, Measles is the most deadly of all childhood fever or rash diseases. Measles is a virus that inhabits the throat and nose of all the people that are infected and causes a rash, fever, coughing and red eyes. Although, there is a vaccine, an anti-vaccination movement has gained momentum in the United States despite the increased debunking and criticism of the movements claims (Jin, 2015). On January 7th, 2015, the California’s Department of Public Health believes that, in December, the individual infected with measles was residing in Disneyland Theme Park. The person unknowingly infected other people at the theme park (Zipprich, et al., 2015). According to LA Times, at that time, among the people infected with Measles was unvaccinated traveller in her 20s. On 28th December, while at the Theme Park the woman became sick and contagious. From there, she flew from Orange County to Washington State, Snohomish County, and then returned to Orange County, on January 3rd. Four days later, on January 7th, health officials in California announced an outbreak of measles (Jin, 2015). Measles viruses are contagious; they can live up to two hours on the surfaces of the infected people, transmitting it through sneezes and coughs (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). The CDC states that Measles is a highly contagious virus that 90% of the unvaccinated people close to the sick person are infected. Although, over 20 Million people get the disease worldwide, the CDC estimates that only 220 people get measles per annum. However, in 2014, the rate of measles infections rose to 644 cases, which is a two-decade high (Jin, 2015). Unfortunately, recently, the cases of measles have been on the rise. After hitting a record low in 2004, just 37 cases, cases of measles continue to hit new record high ten years later. In 2014, there were over 644 cases, and in 17 states, there were at least 154 cases. The main source of the disease is not fully recognized, and it does not have an association with international travel (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). The first cases of the disease were in Disneyland. However, there are other cases throughout the country, which do not have their origin in Disneyland. So far, there have been over 126 cases in California, which includes two separate outbreaks strains B3 (endemic from Philippines) and D3 (endemic in India) (Gastañaduy, et al., 2014). Therefore, the major source of the Measles outbreaks is California, although other strains such as B3 and D 3 are from International Countries. Health authorities say that the Anti-vaccine Movement as the major source of measles in California (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). However, analysis of data indicates that there are other contributing factors. The other contributing health factors are the public health measures targets children and the lack of access to medical care. Although, the anti-vaccination movement can result in the spread of measles, data shows that most of the sick people are 20 years old and above, meaning that they were born before implementation of the aggressive immunization campaign (Gahr, et al., 2014). However, the public health measures are the major problem that causes the spread of measles. The public health campaign only targets children, which leave people over the age of 20 years, not previously vaccinated, exposed to measles (Gastañaduy, et al., 2014). Although, the public health measures, indicated by the number of people vaccinated for measles are high, this is at or above 94% of kindergarten children. However, when narrowed statewide, the rates vary significantly from 98% in Mississippi to 86% in Colorado (Gastañaduy, et al., 2014). The community population that requires immediate attention is Colorado, which has the lowest rate of measles vaccine. Merck Medicine, the institution responsible for distribution of MMR, a measles vaccine projects that at least 85% to 95% of the population need to be vaccinated for optimum results. The following public health campaign seeks to enhance the rate of community vaccination (Gastañaduy, et al., 2014). Through the community preventive services task for would seek to examine new methods of gathering evidence and data, and offer evidenced-based measures of improving vaccination. The public health campaigns have focussed on children; thus, the new approach would highlight intervention mechanisms to improve vaccinated through enhancing the access to services, enhance the demand of the community, and using provider-or-system based interventions (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). To gain sufficient data, this program would seek the collaboration of health service providers and insurance agencies in order to gain sufficient data on the actual rate of vaccinations. The people that can assist with this public health campaign are all stakeholders from the healthcare sector, the state and federal government, government and state agencies. The assistance of all these stakeholders would help in mapping out the campaign and offering the appropriate intervention mechanisms (Gahr, et al., 2014). The health people 2020 objective seeks to enhance health quality, remove disparities and improve health care for all people is linked to this campaign. The primary intervention mechanism that affects this program is immunization campaign, which is at the core of this campaign (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). The secondary measures include regular screening of people with known risk factors, and the tertiary intervention mechanism includes illness management programs, such as isolation. The evaluation mechanism would include an examination of the rates of vaccination and reduction in rates of new measles sickness in the community (Whitaker & Poland, 2014). Conclusion The Measles virus is highly contagious, the rate of measles infections rose to 644 cases, in 2014, from 37 cases in 2004. The main source of the disease is not fully recognized; however, most cases have their origin from California. So far, there are 126 new cases of measles in California. The public health measures are the major problem that causes the spread of measles. The focus of public health campaign is children, which leaves people over the age of 20 years, not previously vaccinated vulnerable. Colorado has the lowest rates of measles vaccination; thus requiring immediate attention. The public health campaign will ensure a reduction in the prevalence of measles. References Gahr, P., DeVries, A. S., Wallace, G., Miller, C., Kenyon, C., Sweet, K., & Lynfield, R. (2014). An outbreak of measles in an undervaccinated community. Pediatrics, 134(1), e220-e228. Gastañaduy, P. A., Redd, S. B., Fiebelkorn, A. P., Rota, J. S., Rota, P. A., & Bellini, W. J. (2014). Measles—United States, January 1–May 23, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 63(22), 496-499. Jin, J. (2015). Measles in the United States. New York, NY: JAMA. Whitaker, J. A., & Poland, G. A. (2014). Measles and mumps outbreaks in the United States: Think globally, vaccinate locally. Vaccine, 32(37), 4703. Zipprich, J., Winter, K., Hacker, J., Xia, D., Watt, J., & Harriman, K. (2015). Measles Outbreak—California, December 2014–February 2015. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 64(6), 153-154. Read More