Doctors in Pittsburgh Concerned About Measles After Outbreak in Philadelphia
While we’re all trying to stay healthy through the winter, doctors in Allegheny County are now worried about the measles. With an outbreak of the highly contagious virus in Philadelphia, medical professionals in Pittsburgh are on high alert.
It is very contagious, especially among unvaccinated people. It’s more contagious than COVID or flu. It’s one of those viruses when we see an outbreak, we do tend to get very worried. It’s usually more in young children, said Dr. Brian Lamb, an internal medicine doctor with Allegheny Health Network.
Despite not seeing any cases in Allegheny County since 2019, doctors are concerned about the potential spread of measles due to lower vaccination rates in school-aged children.
Over the last decade or so, we’ve seen the decrease in vaccinations for children. Comes back to a lot of misinformation…What we’ve seen though is the damage has been done, and there are people who are not vaccinating their kids against measles, Lamb said.
In contrast to the measles, the respiratory virus that doctors are most worried about is still COVID-19. The Allegheny County Health Department revealed that on average, one person dies from COVID-19 every day, and hundreds more are hospitalized every week in the county.
A lot of people just got the idea of oh, it’s over, or it’s just going to cause a cold. Not in everybody. There are people who are going to have severe reactions, there are people who are going to die from it, there are people who are going to get very sick from it, Lamb warned.
In Pennsylvania, only 21 percent of adults and about 10 percent of kids are vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr. Lamb and other health experts advocate for higher vaccination rates, especially for high-risk individuals and those older than 65.
Amid the concern over measles and COVID-19, doctors emphasize the importance of basic preventive measures such as handwashing and staying home when sick.
Stay home from work if you’re sick. You don’t want to spread it to your coworkers, don’t send your kids to school sick. I know that’s an inconvenience, but you don’t want to be the one that unleashes a respiratory virus into a classroom, Lamb advised.
Furthermore, Dr. Lamb suggests speaking to healthcare providers about vaccines, including the measles vaccine, as some adults who were vaccinated a long time ago might require a booster shot.
In addition to the measles and COVID-19, doctors are also monitoring the circulation of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In Allegheny County, six flu-related deaths and 19 hospitalizations have been reported since October. Meanwhile, around 200 hospitalizations due to RSV have occurred, with no reported deaths.
With concerns over multiple respiratory viruses, health experts urge the public to prioritize their health by getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying informed.
The threat of measles in Pittsburgh remains a crucial concern as doctors work to prevent the virus from spreading in their communities. Efforts to educate the public about the importance of vaccinations and dispel misinformation are ongoing, highlighting the vital role that everyone plays in safeguarding public health.
