Measles is spreading. Are you safe?

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Measles is Spreading. Are You Safe?

Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host/Author: NPR
Episode Title: Measles is spreading. Are you safe?

---

Personal Story: The Lasting Impact of Measles

The episode opens with Dr. Alex Yanovich, a pediatrician, recounting a poignant experience from her early career. She shares the story of a teenage boy who contracted measles at seven months old—too young to be vaccinated.

"[He] had contracted measles when he was just seven months old, too young to have been vaccinated."
(00:01)

Despite an initial mild infection and subsequent healthy childhood, the boy began showing severe symptoms in middle school. Dr. Yanovich explains that he was eventually diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal degenerative neurological condition that typically emerges seven to ten years post-measles infection.

"Studies suggest that this condition, which is almost always fatal, is more common than once thought."
(01:08)

Dr. Yanovich emphasizes the gravity of declining vaccination rates, warning of potential long-term consequences if these trends continue.

"Which is why experts continue to say that the best way to protect yourselves and your children from measles is to vaccinate."
(01:52)

---

Current Measles Outbreak: Scope and Spread

Transitioning to a broader perspective, NPR Reporter Maria Godoy provides an update on the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States. She distinguishes between isolated cases and widespread outbreaks, noting that while isolated cases in various states are often linked to international travel, the significant outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico poses a different threat.

"The US declared measles eliminated in 2000, and that just means there's not ongoing transmission for greater than 12 months in an area."
(03:26)

However, the current outbreak in remote areas could potentially seed new outbreaks in regions with low vaccination rates, especially if infected individuals travel.

---

Understanding Measles Transmission and Prevention

Maria Godoy delves into the highly contagious nature of measles, highlighting its ability to spread more easily than diseases like Ebola or polio.

"Measles is the most contagious infectious disease known to man. It's more contagious than Ebola, than polio, than chickenpox."
(04:06)

Key points include:

• Transmission: Measles can linger in the air for up to two hours, making airborne transmission a significant risk.
• Infectious Period: Individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the measles rash.
• Vaccine Efficacy: Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective, making high vaccination rates crucial for community immunity.

"Two doses of the vaccine is 97% effective, which... you need high vaccination rates in a community so that there's no one vulnerable to measles."
(04:53)

---

Federal Response and Public Health Messaging

The episode examines the federal government's response to the outbreak, noting a mixed approach within different branches. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has actively issued alerts, distributed vaccines, and advocated for vaccination, the Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has taken a more nuanced stance.

"He's also called vaccination a personal choice and he didn't outright urge people to get vaccinated."
(05:12)

Kennedy Jr. has promoted alternative defenses against measles, such as good nutrition and vitamin A supplementation, rather than emphasizing vaccination as the primary defense. Maria Godoy clarifies the role of vitamin A, acknowledging its benefits in treating complications of measles in malnourished children but sternly rejecting claims that it can prevent or protect against the virus itself.

"Vitamin A can't prevent or protect you against measles. But it can actually be harmful because vitamin A builds up in your body and over time it can be toxic."
(07:23)

---

Debunking Myths: Vaccine Safety and Misinformation

Addressing prevalent myths, Godoy robustly defends the safety and efficacy of the measles vaccine against misinformation suggesting it is more dangerous than the virus.

"The vaccine is very safe and highly effective. Again, two doses, 97% effective."
(07:33)

She contrasts this with the severe dangers posed by measles, including mortality rates, blindness, deafness, brain swelling, and long-term immune system effects known as immune amnesia.

"Immune amnesia... it can even cause neurological problems years after infection."
(08:15)

---

Public Concern and Future Implications

Concluding the discussion, Maria Godoy urges the public to remain vigilant without succumbing to panic. She stresses the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent a resurgence of widespread outbreaks.

"There's no reason to panic right now. Vaccination rates are still high enough nationwide in most places to stop a major outbreak from happening."
(08:27)

However, she warns that continuing declines in vaccination could lead to future crises reminiscent of pre-vaccine eras, with thousands of cases and numerous deaths.

"In five to 10 years, experts I spoke with say we might go back to the days when we had measles outbreaks with thousands of cases and, you know, many deaths."
(08:50)

---

Protective Measures and Vaccine Recommendations

To safeguard against the current outbreak, Maria Godoy advises:

• Getting Vaccinated: Ensuring both adults and children receive two doses of the measles vaccine.
• Early Vaccination for Infants: For those traveling abroad or residing in outbreak areas, getting younger children vaccinated early as per CDC guidelines.
• Verifying Vaccination Status: Individuals unsure of their immunization records should consider getting an additional dose for peace of mind.

"Get vaccinated. If you're not already, make sure you've had two shots of the measles vaccine and, you know, get your kids vaccinated, too."
(08:54)

She reaffirms the high efficacy of the vaccine and the amplified protection conferred by high community vaccination rates.

"They're really, really low. So no vaccine is 100% effective, but measles is pretty darn high, 97% effective."
(09:34)

---

Production Notes

This episode was produced by Mallory Yu and Connor Donovan, edited by Jeanette Woods, Nadia Lancy, Jane Greenholsh, and Courtney Dorney, with executive production by Sammy Yenigun. The host, Ailsa Cheng, also mentions related NPR content and encourages listeners to access the podcast through various platforms, including a sponsor-free option for Amazon Prime members.

---

Conclusion

"Measles is spreading. Are you safe?" serves as a comprehensive exploration of the current measles outbreak in the United States, emphasizing the critical role of vaccination in preventing the disease's spread and mitigating its severe health consequences. Through expert insights and personal narratives, NPR underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect individual and community health.

Transcript

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Doctor Alex Yanovich, a pediatrician, is still haunted by the memory of a teenage boy whom she treated at the start of her career. He had contracted measles when he was just seven months old, too young to have been vaccinated.

[NPR Reporter]

He got the virus from a child in his neighborhood who was unvaccinated.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

The infection was relatively mild and the infant recovered and grew up to be a bright, healthy kid.

[NPR Reporter]

He was an honors student and just a charming, delightful kid.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

But then he started developing troubling symptoms in middle school.

[NPR Reporter]

He started getting lost between classes, lost like he couldn't find what class to go to next.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Eventually, he was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological condition called subacute sclerosing pan encephalitis, or SSPE. It generally develops seven to 10 years after a measles infection.

[NPR Reporter]

The problem is that there is no treatment for it and he basically became more and more incapacitated over time.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

And studies suggest that this condition, which is almost always fatal, is more common than once thought. Since the measles outbreak in remote parts of West Texas and New Mexico began in January, more than 300 cases have been reported. And the communities where measles continues to spread, they're largely unvaccinated. Consider this, in most of the US Vaccination rates are still high enough to stop a major outbreak. But vaccination rates are falling. And if they continue to fall, we could see long term consequences of measles in the future. Which is why experts continue to say that the best way to protect yourselves and your children from measles from vaccinate.

[NPR Reporter]

Them, vaccinate your children, get people vaccinated.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

An update on measles in the U.S. from NPR. I'm Elsa Chang.

[Ron Rudson]

This message comes from NPR sponsor SAATVA founder and CEO Ron Rudson shares why Saatva sales associates are focused on finding the perfect mattress for their customers.

[NPR Reporter]

At SOTFA, we have a 365 day home trial. Why would we want to rush you or try to push you into something that's not right for you? We want to make sure that we guide you to the right mattress. Our team is always available to be helpful to make sure you make the right choice.

[Ron Rudson]

To learn more, go to swatva.com NPR this message comes from Carvana. Sell your car the convenient way, enter your license plate or vin, answer a few questions and get a real offer in second. Today.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

It'S consider this from npr. As measles continues to spread in West Texas and New Mexico, isolated cases have been reported in about a dozen other States. Now, those isolated cases are largely linked to international travel, not to the Texas outbreak. And I spoke with NPR's Maria Godoy about all things measles, starting with the difference between the Texas outbreak and those isolated cases.

[Maria Godoy]

Okay, so the US declared measles eliminated in 2000, and that just means there's not ongoing transmission for greater than 12 months in an area. But the US has reported measles cases every year. It's usually unvaccinated people, you know, who are bringing measles back from traveling abroad. We see these all the time. We've seen that this year in Alaska and Maryland, where I live. An outbreak is different. It's when the virus is spreading locally. And right now, the virus is spreading in remote areas of West Texas and New Mexico. The concern is that you might have someone who is sick, and then they travel to another area where vaccination rates are low, and they could potentially seed another outbreak there.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Okay, and at that point, how do you stop that from happening?

[Maria Godoy]

Vaccination. So measles is the most contagious infectious disease known to man. It's more contagious than Ebola, than polio, than chickenpox. It's so contagious that in a world where no one's vaccinated, one person sick with measles could go on to infect 18 others on average. You know, and it's airborne, which means, you know, these infectious particles can linger in the air for up to two hours. So if you have a sick person walk into a room, cough, leave, and then an hour later, someone comes in, they could potentially get infected and pass it on to others. The other thing is you're infectious from about four days before you develop that telltale red measles rash until four days after. So that's, you know, eight days, really, where you could be spreading it to others. Now, the good news is the measles vaccine is very safe, highly effective. Two doses of the vaccine is 97% effective, which.

[NPR Reporter]

Yeah.

[Maria Godoy]

And you need high vaccination rates in a community so that there's no one vulnerable to measles. And so the virus has really nowhere to go and spread.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

I had no idea. Measles lingers in the air for two hours. Wow. Okay. How is the federal government right now responding to this outbreak?

[Maria Godoy]

It depends on which part of the federal government you're talking about. So the CDC has issued a measles alert and, you know, asked doctors to be on the lookout for people with. With fevers and the red rashes. It's sent vaccines to Texas. And it says unequivocally, vaccination is the best defense against measles. But when it comes to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The Health and Human Services secretary, he wrote an editorial piece for Fox and he's been on Fox. In an interview, he has said vaccines protect individuals from measles and, you know, they contribute to community immunity. But he's also called vaccination a personal choice and he didn't outright urge people to get vaccinated. The other thing he's said was that good nutrition is a best defense against chronic and infectious diseases, which, again, the public health line has long been that when it comes to measles, vaccination is absolutely the best defense. Yeah, the other thing he's done that has puzzled, you know, public health experts I've talked to is he's focused on treatments like vitamin A rather than stressing vaccination.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Wait, vitamin A? I mean, can vitamin A actually treat measles?

[Maria Godoy]

Okay, so this is not completely without a kernel of truth. Vitamin A does have a role in the treatment of measles in that there are studies dating back decades, usually from low and middle income countries, that show that when you give vitamin A to kids who are malnourished and deficient in vitamin A, it can, you know, reduce the risk of dying from measles, and it can also help prevent complications like blindness from measles. So the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend giving two doses of vitamin A to kids sick with measles to help prevent those complications. Complications. But that is not the same thing as saying that vitamin A prevents or protects you against measles. Exactly right. It can't do that. But the concern here is that, you know, parents might hear that and think that. And in fact, there is misinformation going around online suggesting falsely that vitamin A can protect against measles. And, you know, there are concerns that parents might be giving kids vitamin A dosage long term to protect them against measles, which can't do. But it can actually be harmful because vitamin A builds up in your body and over time it can be toxic.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Okay, well, another claim that we're hearing is that the vaccine is more dangerous than the measles virus. What are doctors saying about that?

[Maria Godoy]

That's absolutely false. The vaccine is very safe and highly effective. Again, two doses, 97% effective. Meanwhile, measles is still a dangerous virus. It can kill. You know, before we had vaccines, 4 to 500 kids used to die in the US each year from measles. And it can Cause blindness, deafness, brain swelling. The virus can also have long term effects. So after measles infection, to some extent, your immune system's memory can be erased, which means that pathogens your body used to know how to defeat it no longer remembers how to defeat them. So you're not immune anymore. And this effect can last two to three years. I know. It's called immune amnesia. And, you know, it can even cause neurological problems years after infection.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Wow. Well, given these potentially very, very serious consequences for measles, how worried should people be? Right. In light of this current outbreak, I.

[Maria Godoy]

Want to stress that there's no reason to panic right now. Vaccination rates are still high enough nationwide in most places to stop a major outbreak from happening. But if vaccination rates continue to fall as they have been over the last several years, you know, in five to 10 years, experts I spoke with say we might go back to the days when we had measles outbreaks with thousands of cases and, you know, many deaths.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Well, how can people better protect themselves right now?

[Maria Godoy]

Get vaccinated. If you're not already, make sure you've had two shots of the measles vaccine and, you know, get your kids vaccinated, too. Parents can talk to their pediatricians about getting younger kids vaccinated early if they're traveling abroad or are in an outbreak area. In fact, the CDC says anybody traveling abroad with an infant six months or older should get them vaccinated early. It's usually more about 12 months. That's a schedule. If you're not sure about your own vaccination status and you can't check your immunization records, there's no harm in getting another dose.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Okay. Let's just say you do the right thing. You get vaccinated. Like I was vaccinated as a kid, and I think I even got the booster. What are the chances that you could get the measles even though you're vaccinated?

[Maria Godoy]

They're really, really low. So no vaccine is 100% effective, but measles is pretty darn high, 97% effective. And you know what? The more people in a community are vaccinated, the more effective the vaccine is for everyone.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Absolutely. That is NPR's Maria Godoy. Thank you so much, Maria.

[Maria Godoy]

My pleasure.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

This episode was produced by Mallory Yu and Connor Donovan. It was edited by Jeanette Woods, Nadia Lancy, Jane Greenholsh, and Courtney Dorney. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's consider this from NPR. I'm Ailsa Cheng. Honest Baba is NPR's eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza, wherever you put your eye to the horizon. It's the same destruction everywhere. On the Sunday Story what it's like to be a reporter covering the war in Gaza while also living through it. Listen now to the Sunday Story on the Up First Podcast from npr.

[Maria Godoy]

A lot happens in Washington every day, from the White House to Capitol Hill and everywhere in between. That's where we come in. On the NPR Politics Podcast, we keep you up to date on what happens inside Washington and what it means for you and your community. The NPR Politics Podcast Listen wherever you listen.

[Dr. Alex Yanovich]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to Consider this sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get consider this [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.