Oklahoma is at risk for a measles outbreak, officials say
OKLAHOMA (KFOR) – Right now, measles outbreaks are spreading worldwide and throughout the U.S.
There are cases confirmed in nine states now. One of those states is Missouri, which borders Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is at risk of an outbreak with our low vaccination rate.
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To put it in perspective, measles are nine times more contagious than COVID. Just one person with the disease can spread it to 19 others alone.
“I don’t think it’s a question of if, I think it’s a question of when Oklahoma will experience a measles outbreak. We’ve seen it in nine states already. And Oklahoma has passed underneath the threshold of herd immunity. So, with measles, you need 95% of the population to be vaccinated. And we’re right around 91%. So, we are at risk for having a measles outbreak right now,” said Dr. George Monks, former president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
Dr. George Monks says in 2000, the measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. But now, as international travelers continue to bring the disease into the country and routine childhood vaccinations decrease, the U.S. has resulted in outbreaks.
“In some school districts, vaccination rates may be much lower, where there’s a much greater chance that if somebody does get infected, that they’ll spread it through the school much more easily,” said Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU Health.
More Oklahoma families are opting their kindergarten students out of childhood vaccinations
Oklahoma doctors say the measle vaccination rates remain lower than others because of how easy it is for parents to opt out of vaccinations for their students for religious, medical or personal reasons. They also say many are misinformed about vaccines.
“Now because of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, all sorts of reasons that parents aren’t giving their kids the usual childhood vaccination,” said Dr. Bratzler.
Doctors are warning parents that unvaccinated children are at a big risk.
“Measles is actually a very serious, potentially deadly infectious disease, and a lot of people don’t realize that,” said Dr. Monks.
Common signs of the disease include symptoms like a fever, sore eyes, small grayish spots on the inside of the cheeks, and a rash that makes its way across the body.
“The symptoms often don’t start for another week or so. So, you maybe took that trip to Disney World or Disneyland or traveled Europe and got infected and won’t even know it for the first seven or 14 days. But then you develop symptoms,” said Dr. Bratzler.
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But doctors say an effective vaccination could protect you.
“If you’re if you’re vaccinated and you come into contact with somebody, so after one vaccination, you’re 93% protected. After two vaccinations, which is the complete course, you’re 97% protected. So only three people that are fully vaccinated would be expected to get measles if they’re exposed to it. It is an extremely, extremely effective vaccination,” said Dr. Monks.
Children younger than five and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from the disease. Others at risk included pregnant woman who may experience complications during pregnancy and people with compromised immune systems.
Below is more information from Dr. Bratzler about the disease.
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