Measles Cases in Colorado Increase Following Flight
The Colorado Department of Public Health has reported three additional measles cases linked to a Turkish Airlines flight that arrived in Denver on May 13. A third passenger from the flight has tested positive for the illness, as noted by 9 News on Sunday.
Interestingly, it’s worth mentioning that this adult, who resides in Arapahoe County, has been vaccinated and is currently on the mend at home.
This news coincides with an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed a total of 1,088 measles cases across the country as of Thursday. This includes instances reported in states like Alaska, Arkansas, California, and many more.
According to further reports, two unvaccinated adults in El Paso County have also contracted measles. However, these individuals were not on the flight; they were present at Denver International Airport on May 14 at a similar time. So, they are unrelated to the flight passengers.
The total number of cases linked to out-of-state travelers who flew is now six. This includes three residents from Colorado and one from out of state, plus two individuals from El Paso County who were at the airport.
The Colorado Health Authority has emphasized that vaccination is the most effective way to safeguard against such contagious diseases.
Earlier this year, a child in West Texas, unvaccinated, became the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015, according to reports.
In March, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services voiced significant concerns regarding the outbreak in Texas, suggesting that parents consult with their healthcare providers about vaccination options for their children.
During an NBC News interview, Kennedy stated that while his agency advocates for vaccinations to prevent illness, some individuals refuse them for religious reasons. He stressed the importance of addressing the needs of those populations as well, saying, “We need to treat measles.”
“A child should not die of measles in this day and age,” he added.
