HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The United States is seeing a large measles outbreak, with nearly 150 cases reported since late January, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Last week, the nation saw its first measles death in a decade, after an unvaccinated child died in Texas.
Rachel Dumene with the Central Shenandoah Health District of the Virginia Department of Health said lower vaccination rates have contributed to the spread of the measles virus, which was previously eradicated in 2000. Currently, Virginia’s kindergarten vaccine rates are at 95%.
Dumene said the virus is highly contagious, and one person can spread it to 15 people.
“Measles is easily preventable through a vaccine, so we really want to encourage people to learn more about vaccination and learn more about the measles vaccine specifically, especially if you are traveling outside of the country,” Dumene said.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called vaccinations a personal decision, saying they “not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.”
The CDC considers the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine safe and effective.
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