The article titled Health officlas work to contain measles in Boston talks about the recent measles outbreak in Boston.
There is one diagnosed case of measles, a woman in her 20s who works at the French consulate. The woman was diagnosed with measles on Thursday. Boston Public Health Officials are now trying to keep the disease from spreading to others. Public Health Officials are encouraging people who have not been vaccinated before, to get their shots. Officials are vaccinating people who were in contact with the woman at the consulate and local Bay State College students who were around the consulate. So far, they have given out 80 vaccinations.
The French consulate has 17 people working in their office and they were all sent home and placed in quarantine. Unless they have proof of a vaccination, they are not allowed back to work for 8 days. The 8 day wait is because that is how long you are contagious for with this disease. Doctor Anita Barry of the Department of Public Health says "It's very easily spread. Measles is a very contagious virus that travels through the air. You don't need much of an exposure to come down with it." The symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, red eyes, and then a rash appears 4 days later.
Measles has been in Boston before. In 1956 there was an outbreak in the City. All students had to be immunized before they were allowed back into school.
Knowing that this disease has been in Boston before, makes it a little less scary to some people because the majority of people are already vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated before, it could be a little scary knowing how contagious this disease is. Also knowing that Public Health Officials are already on the move giving out vaccinations, is comforting as well. The woman who came down with this disease had been overseas and flown here to work. Many of us this week on vacation flew in and out of Logan Airport. I came home on Friday, so it is a little scary knowing that I could have been exposed to this disease.
You're right, Meghan, it is scary that measles is so close to home. You make a really good point about all the people that may have traveled away from home for the break and coming home may have been exposed to the disease through airports. However, it is good that a lot of people may have already been vaccinated and more are being vaccinated now. We're talking about the flu now, and like the measles, it travels through the air, but there is a vaccine and preventative measures have been taken, so hopefully it will be contained and not spread too far.
ReplyDeleteMeghan, I liked that you picked an article that has a personal effect on us. It is scary that this disease is affecting people right in our area. However, luckily there is a vaccination, so many of us do not have to be worried. Hopefully anyone who has not been vaccinated will be soon.
ReplyDeleteI was recently watching the news, when I heard about this story. So I was very eager to read your post. When diseases like this hit so close to home it really grabs my attention. Thankfully most of us are vaccinated and the measles does not pose as a threat to us. Maybe scare tactics like this will motivate those who are older or decided not to get vaccinated now. Measles is a disease that travels through the air, you don't need to come into direct contact with someone with measles. Scary to think that she was on an airplane with so many people.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you picked an article so recent and so close to home. It really makes you realize that without these vaccines, we could all be at risk for a lot of illnesses that we might not even think of. The only reason why the amount of cases are so small is because most people are vaccinated which makes me feel lucky to live in this time period and not during the 1918 flu outbreak that we are studying now.
ReplyDeleteSeeing how risky these circumstances can be makes you really appreciate the benefits of vaccines. Without them, another outbreak of Measles could potentially erupt, just like in 1956. It's a relief that all the workers at the Consolute were required to be quarantined because of the danger they could put others in. Fortunately, public health officials take responsibility and make sure the health of Boston's citizens comes first.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Annie about how thankful we should be about the benefits of vaccinations. They can prevent epidemics, so why not get vaccinated? The measles is clearly something we don't want spreading any further. Hopefully everyone will take the proper precautions, and see that vaccinations are very positive when dealing with a possible outbreak. I also think it is great that the Boston Public Health Officials are trying to inform people who haven't gotten vaccinated before to consider it. Hopefully it will open up more doors for people, and they will get vaccinated.
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