Increased Cases of Measles in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.: a Closer Look
Down and Dirty on the Measles Outbreak in NA:
The Low-Down:Measles, a dang contagious viral sickness, is wreaking havoc in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Over 2,500 cases and four deaths have been reported in these countries. Blame game? Vaccine hesitancy is finger-pointed as the culprit.
What's Measles?Think high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash that spreads faster than wildfire. Sounds fun, right? Most people recover, but for kids and those with weak immune systems, things can get dicey with complications like diarrhea, pneumonia, and brain swelling. In richer countries, the death rate is typically 1 in 5,000. But, in regions with crappy healthcare systems, it can be as high as 1 in 100.
Meet Herd Immunity:Herd immunity happens when enough people achieve immunity to a disease, either through vaccination or recovery. A community needs 95% to have immunity, making measles super tough to spread. The safer way to reach this? Vaccination.
The Measles Vaccine Magic:Over 31.7 million deaths were prevented globally between 2000 and 2020 thanks to measles vaccination. The MMR vaccine provides about 97% protection, and a two-stage immunization program is standard for countries like the UK. Breakthrough cases are scarce and usually mild.
Where's Measles Poppin' Off?North America is experiencing a measles revival, with Ontario, Texas, and northern Mexico being the smoking hotspots. Ontario's seen over 1,000 cases since October 2024, while Texas has 683 of the total 935 cases in the US. Three folks have died in the US, while one has kicked the bucket in Mexico.
Why's Measles Spreadin'?According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is spreading primarily because fewer folks are getting vaccinated, dropping below the level needed for herd immunity. In some parts of the US and Canada, exemptions for non-medical reasons are becoming more common, creating clusters of unvaccinated people more vulnerable to outbreaks.
Anti-Vaxxers 101:The "anti-vaxxers" are people who oppose vaccines for various reasons, such as fears about side effects, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, or religious reasons. Mennonite groups in certain areas have also historically been hesitant about vaccines, contributing to a significant share of the recent measles cases.
One persistent myth fuelling vaccine hesitancy is the claim that vaccines cause autism. This belief stems from a discredited and retracted 1998 study.
Trump's RFK Jr Pick:Robert F Kennedy Jr's pick as US Secretary of Health and Human Services has raised concerns among health experts. As a vaccine sceptic, he has repeated false claims about vaccines causing autism and contained "aborted fetus debris." However, it is important to note that this hypothetical scenario is speculative based on past advocacy as the appointment has not been announced or confirmed.
In case you're curious, the rubella part of the vaccine isn't made from aborted fetuses but rather lab-grown cells copied from a single foetal sample taken in the 1960s, and there's no fetal tissue in the actual shot.
Sign up for Al Jazeera's Americas Coverage Newsletter to stay up-to-date on latest developments.
- Despite evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of vaccines, some individuals hold opinions against vaccination, citing concerns about side effects, distrust of pharmaceutical companies or government agencies, or religious reasons, a phenomenon known as vaccine hesitancy.
- The ongoing measles outbreak in North America, particularly in Ontario, Texas, and northern Mexico, has been linked to political decisions surrounding vaccination policies, with an increase in non-medical exemptions allowing clusters of unvaccinated individuals to form, making them more vulnerable to outbreaks.
- The medical community is closely monitoring the potential impact of increased vaccine skepticism, such as the appointment of vaccine critic Robert F Kennedy Jr for the position of US Secretary of Health and Human Services. A decrease in public trust in vaccines could have serious implications for health and wellness, as well as contribute to the spread of other medical-conditions, including measles.
