Hylton I Lightman MD DCH (SA) FAAP

Myth: Measles is not harmful

Fact: Measles is not innocuous and can be deadly.

In 2015, measles in the United States was considered to be eradicated. That’s not the case now in March 2025. What began as measles outbreak in Texas in the Mennonite community has now spread to other states, including New Jersey’s Bergen County.

The CDC reports that there are over 170 active measles cases in this country. 95% of those cases were in unvaccinated individuals or in those where vaccination status was unknown. Tragically, there have been 2 deaths. As a result, there is now a warning of a potential measles outbreak, meaning there are 3 or more related cases ins a specific community or geographic area.

A child of US citizenship arrived at JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 and then travelled with her parents via a public bus to Philadelphia. She was feeling unwell so her parents took her to an urgent care. She tested positive for measles. This means that passengers aboard the flight plus the passengers on the public bus plus others have been exposed to measles. Similarly, last month, a passenger on a Korean Air flight arrived in Los Angeles and soon after tested positive for measles.

Measles is an extremely infectious disease which is transmitted via direct contacts with infectious droplets that are airborne when the sick individual coughs, sneezes or breathes. These droplets can remain present for up to 2 hours. As a result, it can be spread to up to 90 percent of people in the nearby vicinity.

Measles presents initially with a fever, cough, runny nose and watery red eyes. It begins in the hairline and then spreads down to the neck, trunk arms and feet. In its early stages, there may by tiny white lesions in the mouth (opposite the upper molars) call Koplick Spots.

Let’s now speak about the measles vaccine. It is 87 percent effective in preventing this horrible illness. It is given after 1 year of age and again as a booster between 4-6 years of age.

Despite the refuted claim that the measles vaccine causes autism, there are parents who hesitate to vaccinate against measles.

This is mindboggling.

Let me state the following.

While training and practicing medicine in South Africa, my colleagues and I there were privy to 1 st and 3rd world medical patients with measles and other diseases. MEASLES CAN KILL. I witnessed the deaths of over 100 children from measles.

There is no cure for measles – only PREVENTION BY VACCINE. IV fluids and antibiotics are given for dehydration and secondary infections like pneumonia and encephalitis. But this is supportive care only.

While all children should be immunized with 2 doses of the measles vaccine, what’s to be done for “older folks”?

The measles vaccine is a live virus and there are people who are unable to receive a live virus vaccine. It is possible that if they are exposed, then they might receive an injection of measles immune globulin. This is administered 6 days after exposure and provides antibodies for the short term.

People born before 1957 are considered immune from this disease. Those born after 1957 and in the 1960s should have their immunity tested. Even if the person has been previously vaccinated, the vaccine was not as effective then.

People born in 1970-1980 probably received 1 dose as a child and probably have adequate protection. However, if they are in an area which has an outbreak, they should discuss with their internist about a booster.

People born in the 1980s would have received 2 doses of the vaccine and are considered to be adequately protected. However, if a person is immunocompromised, they may have no immunity whatsoever. Again, they should reach out to their internist.

The only way to protect ourselves from the measles disease is to prevent it from circulating. This requires vaccinations.

Vaccination rates are trending downwards, a topic that Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and an internationally recognized in the fields of virology and immunology, discussed at the recent CHEMED Medical Ethics Conference in the presence of several Gedolim. There are several reasons for this and that’s a topic for another time.

My message: WAKE UP. There is no reason that even 1 child should die, G-d forbid, in our modern, sophisticated world when prevention through vaccines is available.

Purim and Pesach are approaching. These are family times. These are travel times. If the United States is designated as a country not free of measles, other countries may require documentation of vaccinating against the measles.

Let’s all be safe and do right what’s good for our children.

As always, daven.