Measles Cases Continue to Rise in The United States

           This year is on pace in the United States to be the worst for measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in this country in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control reports more than 800 confirmed cases so far this year…none in the Kansas City Metro area. And doctors are now saying those who were born between the late 1950’s and 1989 may need a second booster shot if they didn’t already have one.

            In the video, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease specialist at The University of Kansas Health System, says there are two main reasons for this record setting year…lower vaccination rates, and people traveling from overseas and bringing in the disease from countries where the disease is currently running rampant. He also says the current regimen of two shots should be nearly 100% effective in protecting from the measles. He also says the best way to find your current level of immunity is through a simple blood test at your doctor’s office. He says if you’re not sure, there’s no harm in getting a booster anyway.