According to the latest update by the CDC, individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 26 states including multiple states surrounding Arkansas. This is an increase of 41 cases from the previous week.
Now, Arkansas doctors and the Arkansas Department of Health are concerned about an outbreak making it’s way to Arkansas. They’re also concerned about a possible resurgence of other infectious diseases.
Measles was officially "eliminated" in 2000 but the fight continues to keep people safe from contracting the virus. According to Dirk Haselow, Arkansas’ State Epidemiologist, there have been more cases of measles in the first 5 months of 2019 than any year in the past 20 years. Haselow said the number of reported cases are likely to go up before they level off.
“Thankfully, we don't have any confirmed cases in Arkansas but we are testing people here who have been exposed in other states or on domestic flights on roughly a weekly basis,” said Haselow.
He said we may in the clear for now but measles could reach Arkansas within moments.
“I think it’s just a plane ride away,” he said. “We need to be on an enhanced concern level so we don't miss a case.”
Haselow said more people are choosing to not vaccinate themselves or their children and it is a huge factor in measles’ resurgence. He said it is often based on misinformation online. If more people become vaccine hesitant, he fears the possible resurgence of other infectious diseases like mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and polio.
“The diseases that have vaccines against them are the very diseases that can rip through a community,” he said. “Mumps did that a few years ago in northwest Arkansas and that could happen somewhere else.”
Dr. Keyur Vyas, an Infectious Disease Specialist with UAMS, said more doctors are working to educate patients about the risks of not vaccinating.
“It’s going to take a lot of work from physicians and primary care physicians to explain that vaccines are safe and effective,” he said.
He said the best thing anyone can do is follow the recommended vaccination schedules and be especially careful and aware if traveling this summer.
“These illnesses are not benign or like a common cold that people will just get over,” he said. “Measles can cause serious problems and even death.”
For more information on vaccine recommendations visit the CDC website.