Health

8 HE ALTH • Summer 2019 outbreak, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have more cases," said Dr. Larry Madoff, infectious disease specialist and professor at UMass Memorial Medical School in Worcester. Measles is a highly contagious disease with f lu-like symptoms and can be fatal, particularly to children under age 5. It can be prevented with a vaccine, and nearly all the cases in the U.S. are from people who weren't vaccinated against it or didn't know if measles outbreaks have happened in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, with 1,022 cases reported in 26 states. Yet, only two of those cases happened in Massachusetts, and medical professionals in Central Massachusetts are hopeful with vigilance and education, they can stop the spread of the disease here. "I'm hopeful we won't have an T hough the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, measles is making a comeback in the country, with this year bringing the highest number of cases since 1992. Largely due to fewer people being vaccinated against the disease, e largest U.S. outbreak of measles in two decades has Massachusetts medical professionals pushing for more vaccinations they received the vaccination. "A single person can infect everyone who shares the same air," Madoff said. "The virus can stay in the air up to an hour after that person has left." Due to the contagiousness and the state's proximity to New York, healthcare providers in New England are on high alert. Rockland County in New York has reported 255 cases, and New York City has had 550 reported cases. Logan International Airport in Boston poses another risk, as foreign populations are less likely to be vaccinated against the disease and could come from places like Israel, Ukraine, and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring, according to the CDC. "It's quite possible we could get an outbreak in Massachusetts," said Dr. Vibha Sharma, chief of infectious diseases at UMass Memorial - Marlborough Hospital. Highly preventable Though measles is easily spread, Sharma said, the disease is highly preventable. "We are lucky to have a safe and very effective vaccine," Madoff said. MMR is a live viral vaccine con- taining modified strains of measles, mumps, and rumbella in order to cre- ate immunity and prevent infection. • By Devina Bhalla High alert * As of June 6 Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Measles outbreak A patient at UMass Memorial gets a vaccination, which infectious disease specialists say it key to prevent out- breaks like measles. '10 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,022* '19 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '18 '17 Measles cases It's only June, but there are already hundreds more cases of measles in the U.S. than in any recent years. PHOTO/UMASS MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE

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