measles immunity

As measles cases near record levels in isolated areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging summer camps to check for documentation of immunity through vaccination or prior infection for all children.

“I think there has been increased concerns about potential for additional outbreaks and spread, especially in the setting of waning or lowering rates of immunizations,” said Dr. Alexandra Yonts, a pediatric infectious diseases physician and assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s National Hospital. “Nine out of every 10 folks who are unimmunized will get measles when exposed to someone who is actively ill.”

In arelease, the CDC said measles can spread quickly because campers and staff spend a lot of time in close proximity to each other.

“In sleepaway camps, you have lots of children in very close contact, pretty much constantly,” Yonts said. “You likely have kids on buses together, spending lots of time face to face. And for something like 1, that is extremely contagious.”