Measles Outbreak: How Does It Really Affect Us?
by: Faith Lehr
As you may have seen on the news, in recent months outbreaks of the measles disease have been reported, mainly centralized in South Carolina. Over 1,569 cases have been reported in 2025 alone. While this may not seem like a significant number of cases, it is a serious problem that, if left unchecked, could spread rapidly, and could potentially leave thousands more children and teenagers at risk of contracting the virus.
You may be asking yourself the question; What is measles, and why has it spread such a threat? Measles, as defined by Mayo Clinic, “Measles, also called rubeola, was once a common childhood illness. It's caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air and settles on surfaces.” Commonly spread through those who have opted out of a measles vaccination (in which acquiring one is regularly required in all 50 states, but more commonly exempted) and its reach is farther than one may assume. Just by contracting the illness itself, one person can infect a large group, causing widespread contamination of the serious disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, “About 90% of people who haven't had measles or haven't been vaccinated will become infected when around someone with measles.”. This urges the issue of vaccination exemptions, and how over exemptions can cause serious outbreaks, some of which we are seeing the likes of now. Because of the increase in exemptions of the MMR or MMRV vaccination increase, the disease is not only more likely to contaminate, but also to spread.
Although measles is most common in children and teenagers, for other age demographics it is even more serious. People under 5, older than 20 are at a higher risk of more mild, serious symptoms if they contract the disease. This was not a problem considering the United States had not had an outbreak in decades, it was not an issue for these demographics but considering the uptake in reported cases and corresponding vaccination exemptions, a spread is not easier and more common.
The reason that this is so serious in the first place is because of the easy spread of a serious disease. Symptoms of measles include fever, sore throat, clogged or runny nose, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, as well as the rash commonly associated with the disease. This rash can spread all over the body.
Vaccination exemptions are what facilitates the movement and spread of serious illness, such as the measles. The reason that many states encourage these vaccinations to be mandatory is because of the ease of spread when unvaccinated people contract the disease. It is also to ensure that what we are facing today does not happen. Although the similarities of what the United States has faced in the past in terms of measles outbreaks, continually exempting important vaccines when it is not religiously mandated, or prohibited in some other way is the main contributing factors that puts children and teenagers at risk of illness.
Sources Used:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857