ADPH Urges Parents to Ensure Children are Vaccinated Against Rising Measles Cases

February 19, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is urging parents to ensure their children are up to date with their measles vaccinations amidst a surge in cases reported in several states, including Texas and Georgia, within the first two months of 2025. With unvaccinated individuals facing a 90 percent chance of infection upon exposure, the situation is becoming increasingly alarming.

Measles is a severe viral respiratory illness that lives in the nose and throat mucus of infected individuals. The disease spreads through inhalation or contact with virus-infected fluids, often via droplets released into the air by sneezes or coughs from those infected. Symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure.

Dr. Karen Landers, ADPH Chief Medical Officer, emphasized the importance of awareness about the disease's progression. "One of the main messages we want to emphasize is that measles follows a pattern in which the child first develops fever, cough, runny nose, and watery/red eyes, then a rash develops. Persons can start spreading the virus up to four days before symptoms appear, and those with weak immune systems can spread the measles virus longer," she stated.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment available for measles. Symptom management includes ensuring the patient gets ample fluids and rest, and administering non-aspirin fever medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, complications can arise, such as ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis.

For most children, protection against measles is provided through the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) or the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine. These vaccines are typically administered when children are between 12 to 15 months old and again at 4 to 6 years old. For infants as young as 6 months who are traveling internationally, an early vaccination is recommended. Vaccines can be obtained at pediatricians' offices or county health departments. The risk of serious harm or death from the MMR vaccine is extremely low, making vaccination a much safer option than contracting the disease itself.

Parents are advised to contact a doctor immediately if they suspect their child has measles or has been exposed to someone with the disease. This is especially crucial for children who are infants, on immune-suppressing medications, or those with conditions like tuberculosis, cancer, or other diseases affecting the immune system who have not received the two doses of the measles vaccine.

For more information on measles vaccines, parents can visit their local county health department's website or contact them directly for additional details.

The ADPH remains committed to its mission: to promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health, envisioning a state where healthy people and healthy communities thrive.