CEDAR RAPIDS -- Linn County Public Health has teamed up with Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital and the Eastern Iowa Health Center to launch an informational campaign about the risks of measles and the importance of vaccination.
There hasn't been a case of measles reported in Iowa since 2019, but there have been more and more cases being reported around the country in the last few months.
At least 279 cases were confirmed in a Texas outbreak, and another 38 confirmed cases in Oklahoma and four probable cases in New Mexico were believed linked to the Texas outbreak, the Dallas Morning news reported Tuesday. At least 36 people have been hospitalized and one child and one adult have died in the outbreak.
A Gazette reporter sat down with Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi to discuss the local campaign, as well as to talk about the symptoms and risks associated with measles.
Q: Why did you decide to start this information campaign?
A: We just wanted to be proactive and talk to our partners, stakeholders in this community, and try to educate our neighbors. We should be prepared, and a vaccine is the primary way to defeat this disease, and all other vaccine-preventable diseases. So that's why. And we have had good partnerships here in this community with area hospitals, and ... the Eastern Iowa Health Center, so we closely work with all of those to handle any situation in our community.
Q: What's the main goal of your campaign?
A: To educate people about measles. And we're doing it now because measles outbreaks are happening elsewhere in the country, so we want to be prepared and just provide basic education to our community.
It's a very dangerous, very infective disease. ... One in five, or 20 percent, of unvaccinated people who get measles are hospitalized.
Q: Have there been any cases of measles yet in our community?
A: No, no, no. As of March 18, which is today, there are no reported measles cases in Iowa. And again, to mitigate measles risk, it's crucial to ensure that you and your family are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella, or the MMR, vaccine."
Q: Does Linn County Public Health keep track of how many people are vaccinated in the county, and if so, what trends are you seeing recently?
A: We do audits of our school-age children, and also day care, and we have some idea based on those audits. ... What we are seeing is a decline in our vaccination rates in our community and across Iowa, as well as in the country, too.
Q: Why do you think fewer people are getting vaccinated?
A: It is very interesting and sometimes sad for us, because by 2000 the country had declared that measles was eliminated. Due to the vaccine, we didn't see much of any measles cases or outbreaks for that matter. But then, in the intervening years, we have seen a number of cases in our country, and it's partly because there is so much misinformation, disinformation that people are receiving from different sources, and they are feeling that it may not be safe.
The thing is that vaccines, the development of a vaccine, it goes through very rigorous scientific processes and takes years. Scientists make sure that they are effective and safe. We won't do anything to hurt our own neighbors. Our job is really to protect their health, and a vaccine is one of those ways. There may be some side effects, and suddenly you need to talk to your health care provider, but its efficacy and its safety is proven, and MMR vaccines have been here for decades.
Q: Is it possible for someone who is vaccinated to still contract measles?
A: Children should receive their first dose at 12 to 15 months and their second dose at 4 to 6 years. Adults should ensure they are vaccinated, especially if they were born after 1957 -- those born before are likely immune -- and if they did not receive two doses of the MMR vaccine and they plan to travel internationally or work in health care or education.
Q: What are the symptoms of measles that people should watch for?
A: The symptoms appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth -- which are called Koplik spots -- and a red rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.
Q: What should someone do if they suspect they have measles or their child has measles?
A: They should call their health care provider and let them know. You need to call them before you go, because if you are going there without calling them, then you may spread the disease. So, make sure that you call before going there and talk to your health care provider about the symptoms and what's happening with your child.
Stay away from infected individuals. If you or your child have symptoms or measles, call your health care provider before visiting to prevent exposure to others. Wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face. And if diagnosed, isolate for at least four days after the rash appears to prevent spreading the virus.