Measles outbreaks are escalating across the United States, particularly in western Texas and New Mexico, where health officials have confirmed 256 cases as of Thursday. Most of these cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. Tragically, at least one unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas has lost their life, and authorities in New Mexico are investigating another suspected death involving an unvaccinated adult.
Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that at least 10 other states have also confirmed measles cases. As healthcare professionals strive to provide care for those affected, they are also battling the spread of misinformation regarding the prevention and treatment of this viral disease.
One prominent voice in the ongoing discussion about measles is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His comments have raised concerns among public health experts due to their lack of scientific backing. In various interviews, Kennedy has claimed that vitamin A and cod liver oil can effectively treat measles, asserting that a poor diet can exacerbate the severity of the disease. However, many public health experts caution that these statements are misleading and could pose serious risks to public health.
Kirsten Hokeness, director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Bryant University, emphasized the importance of relying on scientifically proven methods rather than fringe theories that lack evidence. “We must avoid ideas that are not scientifically substantiated,” she told ABC News.
During a recent interview on Fox News, Kennedy claimed that the Department of Health and Human Services is administering vitamin A to measles patients as a treatment. While the World Health Organization does recommend vitamin A supplementation for individuals with measles to prevent complications like blindness, experts clarify that it is not an antiviral treatment and does not prevent infection.
Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, noted that vitamin A supplementation is only beneficial for those who are deficient in the vitamin and is not intended to treat the virus itself. High doses of vitamin A can also lead to severe health issues, underlining that neither vitamin A nor cod liver oil can treat measles.
Kennedy has also suggested that poor nutrition is a contributing factor to severe cases of measles. While it is true that malnutrition can impact disease severity, this issue is predominantly observed in underdeveloped countries. Dr. Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch, pointed out that good nutrition can support a healthy immune system but is not a substitute for vaccination.
“There is no evidence that good nutrition can prevent infection or stop an infected individual from spreading the virus,” he stated. It is crucial to understand that vaccination remains the most effective method for protecting against severe measles complications.
The CDC recommends that individuals receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose administered between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years. According to the CDC, one dose provides 93% effectiveness, while two doses increase effectiveness to 97%. Most vaccinated adults do not require booster shots.
Kennedy has acknowledged that vaccines can prevent the spread of measles but has also claimed they cause adverse events, including death. However, experts assert that while no vaccine is entirely without risk, the MMR vaccine is exceptionally safe. Dr. Weaver emphasized that the risks associated with measles infections far exceed any potential risks from the vaccine.
A 2015 CDC review published in the journal Vaccine clarified that many reported deaths linked to the MMR vaccine involved individuals with severe underlying health conditions or incidents unrelated to vaccination. Thorough reviews by the FDA and CDC have not found any significant patterns suggesting a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and deaths.
In an interview with Fox News, Kennedy claimed that it is almost impossible for a healthy person to die from measles. However, the reality is that complications from measles can affect anyone, especially children under five, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. About one in five unvaccinated individuals who contract measles require hospitalization, and one in twenty children may develop pneumonia, the leading cause of death among young measles patients.
Furthermore, the CDC states that roughly one in every 1,000 children with measles may develop encephalitis, which can result in brain damage, and up to three out of every 1,000 children with measles may die from respiratory and neurological complications. The recent death of an unvaccinated child in Texas, the first recorded measles death in the U.S. in a decade, underscores the dangers of the disease.
Experts stress that relying on natural immunity poses significant risks, and it is essential to leverage proven medical knowledge to combat measles effectively. “There is no benefit to acquiring the virus naturally when we have effective vaccines available,” Hokeness stated. Kennedy's claims that natural immunity protects against diseases like cancer and heart disease lack scientific support, further emphasizing the importance of vaccination as a safeguard against measles.
As the measles outbreak continues to grow, it is vital for the public to seek out reliable medical information and adhere to scientifically supported health practices. Misinformation can have dire consequences, and understanding the role of vaccines and proper nutrition is crucial in preventing further outbreaks and protecting public health.
