~by Mary Weaver
The June 12 edition of the Des Moines Register reported the third measles case in Iowa due to an unvaccinated child. The Department of Health and Human Services notified the public regarding the third case due to potential exposure in public areas, listing the public areas where the child had been in the Iowa City community.
This report resulted in a memory reflecting my early childhood experience with measles. My mom brought a mattress to the living room for me; the room was kept semi-dark even during the day. I was very brown toned, seemingly making it harder for me to “break out” and I had a fever of 103 for three days. On the fourth day the rash appeared, and the fever broke.
Measles, three-day, German, and hard, are all caused by a virus. Rubeola or Rubella, both are highly contagious through airborne droplets of air from a cough or a sneeze. A person with measles can spread the virus four days before the rash appears and four days after. About 90 percent of people who haven’t had measles or haven’t been vaccinated will become infected when around someone with measles.
Iowa’s measles vaccination rates continue to fall below recommended levels, raising concerns about potential outbreaks, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In 2024, 84.4 percent of Iowan’s 2-year-olds received their first MMR vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella. (Rubella is also called German measles). The target is a 95 percent immunization rate. The 95 percent target is notable as that allows for herd immunity, meaning persons unable to receive the immunization, or immune suppressed individuals will be protected. Greene County’s 2-year-old immunization rate for their first MMR was only 73.5 percent.
Either virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Rubella can lead to a severe condition called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). This can result in premature birth or low birth weight in the babies of infected mothers.
Beyond pregnancy, rubella has the potential to cause lasting joint problems, as about 70 percent of women infected with rubella develop arthritis in later life. It can also lead to problems with bleeding disorders.
The Health and Human Services Cabinet position filled by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims immunization cause autism. Scientific research has debunked this theory.
SHINGLES DOESN’T CARE…. Seen that ad?
Shingles is not caused by the measles virus, rather the varicella-zoster virus. The virus stays in the nerve cells of your body but is not active. Shingles occur when the virus becomes active again many years later. The virus may be reactivated by stress, illness, immunosuppression, older age, and trauma. Talk to your primary care provider, or pharmacist about obtaining your Shingles immunization.
Greene County has the potential for a measles outbreak. It is important for children to obtain immunizations. Adults, if you have not encountered measles during your lifetime, it is important to obtain your measles prevention immunization NOW.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver, a former public health nurse, who cares about the health Greene Countians and wants to prevent a measles outbreak from occurring in our communities.
