Massachusetts Logs First Measles Case Since 2020

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2024/07/19/massachusetts-logs-first-measles-case-since-2020/

By Alison Kuznitz
State House News Service

A Worcester County adult was diagnosed with measles earlier this month, marking the first confirmed case in Massachusetts since early 2020, state public health officials announced Thursday.

The state Department of Public Health said the person recently traveled internationally. People exposed to the Worcester County case have been notified and given public health recommendations, the state’s public health agency said.

“Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased worldwide, including here in the United States and in neighboring states in New England,” state public health commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said. “Cases of measles have been reported in 30 states since the beginning of last year, mostly in people and communities who are unvaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles.”

There have been 167 measle cases so far this year in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, according to the most recent data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal public health agency says 84 percent of the cases involved people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.

State health officials urged Bay Staters to contact their health care providers if they do not know their measles immunization status and to get at least one dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine.

The state Public Health Council adopted updated regulations Wednesday, July 17 dealing with the Massachusetts Immunization Information System, as officials look to boost vaccination rates among Massachusetts residents. The changes allow the state Department of Public Health to share immunization data with health plans to help improve immunization rates and require health care providers to report new immunizations within 72 hours.

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