Bay Space well being officers got here collectively Friday to induce residents within the area to get a measles vaccination in the event that they by no means acquired one or in the event that they averted the illness as a baby.
In an announcement, the Affiliation of Bay Space Well being Officers mentioned it was making the advice as a result of measles circumstances are rising in the USA. Officers mentioned measles outbreaks in west Texas and New Mexico now quantity about 300 and that two folks have died — the primary deaths from the illness within the United State since 2015.
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Well being officers mentioned the danger of publicity to measles stays low within the Bay Space. The most secure method to combat it’s to take a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination shot if you happen to’re below 3 years outdated and to get two of them if you happen to’re older than 3.
“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, but it is preventable with the MMR vaccine,” San Francisco Well being Officer Dr. Susan Philip mentioned in an announcement. “If children in your family are not fully vaccinated, or if you did not have measles as a child, please get the vaccine for the best protection.”
Officers mentioned the Bay Space has reported 5 measles circumstances and that all of them developed after worldwide journey. They mentioned there is no such thing as a proof that these circumstances are related to those in New Mexico or Texas.
Measles may cause severe illness and even dying. It spreads by way of the air when an contaminated particular person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes and might linger within the air for a number of hours. Signs embrace a fever, cough, runny nostril and pink eye, adopted by a rash. Well being officers mentioned kids below 5 years outdated and adults over 20, pregnant girls and folks with compromised immune techniques are at best danger
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