According to the CDC, measles is a highly infectious, airborne disease, the earliest signs of which include fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough and sore throat. Soon, a rash forms, beginning on the face and behind the ears, and eventually spreading to the rest of the body. It is a respiratory disease caused by a virus and was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. This means it is no longer native to the country, even though there are several cases of outbreak every year. There were 102 reports of the measles in January, the majority of which came from an outbreak that occurred in Disneyland in December of last year. As of February 27, there were 179 reported cases. There is a vaccine (taken in two doses) against the measles that is typically given to children; each state has different policies regarding the vaccine, some very restrictive on who can opt out, others not restrictive at all. Some parents refuse to vaccinate their children for religious reasons or personal beliefs. Public health officials believe an immunization rate of at least 90 percent in all communities, including schools, is critical to minimizing the potential for a disease outbreak (US News).
CDC: 102 measles cases in January, most stemming from Disney outbreak
NPR: Disneyland Measles Outbreak Hits 59 Cases and Counting
Tougher laws a likely legacy of the Disneyland measles outbreak
U.S. News: Disneyland Measles Outbreak Spurs Action
CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks
Questions for the PR Board:
1. What is being done to help prevent an outbreak like this from occurring again?
2. Is there currently a risk of contracting measles at Disneyland, or are visitors safe?
3. How is the measles spread if most people are vaccinated?
4. There have been reports that several of the people infected were vaccinated. How is this possible?
5. What the Orange County Health Care Agency doing about vaccinated students in the county schools?
6. Does Disneyland require employees to be vaccinated against the measles?
7. What is being done to raise awareness of the measles outbreak?
8. Do you think that this outbreak will lead to vaccinations becoming required?
9. What is being done on the national level to prevent the virus from coming into the U.S.?
10. How should parents protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated?
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