Measles has spread across the United States as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 220 cases nationwide as of March 7th.
The increase in incidents began in Texas, where 223 cases have been identified since late January (as of March 11).
A new incident was confirmed last week in a Howard County, Maryland resident after an international trip to Washington, D.C.
US Measles Occurrence: Look at the states where incidents are reported
Officials argued that the incident was not related to the Texas outbreak and warned travelers to look for symptoms of measles if they travelled at the airport at the same time.
Wedmd CMO Dr. John Whyte (not in the photo) recommended that travelers wear masks, wash their hands and be aware of their surroundings amidst the outbreak of measles. (istock)
Measles is highly contagious and is the most intimidating individuals who have not been vaccinated, Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News, previously told Fox News Digital.
“If you're not vaccinated, there's a 90% chance you'll get it and step into the room where someone with measles was two hours ago,” he warned.
Maryland confirms the first case of measles from travelers at Major DC Airport
Traveling through limited spaces such as planes can lead to even more concerns about exposure.
In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital in New York City, Dr. John Whyte, WebMD's chief medical officer and practitioner, emphasized that measles is “one of the most infectious respiratory viruses.”
“The good news is that if you're vaccinated, it's unlikely you'll be affected.”
“Measles is much more contagious than COVID,” he said. “It's a factor that's several times more contagious.”
According to White, one infected person could shock others to around 10-15 people.
There are multiple ways to protect yourself from infection while traveling or flying, doctors said, including recognizing your surroundings and wearing a mask in areas where cases were detected.
Traveling through limited spaces such as planes can lead to even more concerns about exposure. (istock)
The doctor also recommended “good hand washing” after touching the surface, and to keep the surface clean.
People with measles often do not become symptomatic until 4 days after exposure, and because White shares it, it may be difficult to track the origin of the infection.
Florida warns first measles cases of the year in public schools as experts highlight vaccination
White said the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines are “very effective,” but some people chose not to get vaccinated.
As the MMR vaccine is most commonly administered to children, some adults may not remember whether they received it or not, and may be worried about their immune strength.
White noted that MMR vaccine boosters are available to people who lack immunity. (istock)
White proposed to receive the titer of measles. This is a blood test that measures antibody (immunity) levels.
This is especially important for people traveling to other countries where exposure risks could be increased, doctors added. For those with no immune system, MMR vaccine boosters are available.
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“I think you're starting to see measles in your area and are worried about whether you're immune.
“If not, practice all the good hygiene methods we've talked about. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Be careful of your surroundings. Clean surfaces.”
Measles cases most occur in school-age children who are not vaccinated, data show. (istock)
For those who feel unwell, White encouraged him to stay home and refrain from traveling to help keep others healthy.
Symptoms of measles usually start with coughing and sneezing, leading to a red rash on the face and body a few days later.
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“Many doctors [have] “I've never seen measles,” White pointed out.
Measles can cause serious complications, doctors warned that it includes swelling of the brain and pneumonia, especially in older adults.
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“The good news is that if you've been vaccinated, it's unlikely you'll be affected if you come into contact with someone who has a parable,” White said. “That's the overall beauty of vaccinations.”
