Introduction
Contagious illnesses like measles and COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person, leading to an outbreak if not managed early. Harmful pathogens, such as parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, cause infectious diseases. Measles is airborne and easily transmitted when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or breathes.
Common symptoms of rubeola include rashes all over the body, a runny nose, a cough, and a high fever (World Health Organization, 2023). Most recently, the 2019 measles outbreak in the United States (U.S.), which resulted in over 1200 confirmed cases, and the Samoa epidemic, which led to about 80 deaths, especially among young children, caused global concern (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Kekatos, 2023). Measles mainly affects young children, but anyone can contract it.
This study aims to provide vital information on the significant factors causing the spread of measles, its impact, and how to prevent its transmission. The paper discusses the government’s perspective and how it views the pharmaceutical companies’ perspective on handling measles. This study first provides an overview of measles to provide background knowledge on the infectious illness.
Consequently, factors contributing to the spread of morbilli are discussed before describing its impact on the U.S. government and the authority’s view of the relevance of pharmaceutical companies in fighting rubeola. Lastly, recommendations for mitigating the spread of measles are provided to help prevent future outbreaks. Measles is a highly infectious disease that requires appropriate medical interventions, such as vaccination, to prevent epidemics.
Factors Contributing to the Spread of Measles in the United States
Overseas Traveling
Understanding the factors driving measles transmission is crucial for developing measures to prevent its spread. International travel and unvaccinated individuals contribute to the measles outbreak (CDC, 2024). In the U.S., measles outbreaks are occasionally associated with imported cases in areas with low vaccination coverage.
Because it is highly contagious, a few infected travelers can spark a pandemic, which is why inoculations are needed. Early this year, one case of measles was reported in Maryland, involving a local who recently returned from abroad (Maryland Department of Health, 2024). Healthcare providers must be on the lookout for any measles-related symptoms to help mitigate its spread.
Airports are entry points for international travelers who frequently gather. The San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services (2024) confirmed a case of measles on February 2, where a 1-year-old was a victim and had recently returned from abroad. In California, 1 case was also reported on January 25 after a resident traveled through Los Angeles International Airport (County of Los Angeles, 2024). The CDC links the increase in imported cases to a global surge in contagious illnesses. Most health concerns associated with infectious diseases in the U.S. often result from interactions with susceptible populations that travel outside the country.
Individuals not Being Vaccinated
Being unimmunized increases the chances of acquiring and spreading contagious sicknesses like measles. Herd immunity is decreased when vaccination rates drop, exposing individuals to the virus. High exposure can lead to outbreaks, especially in unvaccinated vulnerable communities.
The CDC confirmed about 85 cases of rubeola in Ohio, with all the victims being children (CDC, 2023). Eighty were susceptible, and only five had received their jab (CDC, 2023). According to the CDC (2024), to be protected against rubeola, one must have received at least 2 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Table 1 presents the CDC-recommended timeline for receiving the doses.
Table 1 – Schedule for MMR Vaccine
Source: Measles Cases and Outbreaks by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024.
Children need to receive two doses of the MMR jab before they turn 6 to help prevent measles. The CDC reports that those who received one dose have 93% protection against the disease, and those who received two doses have 97% effectiveness (CDC, 2024). According to a New Jersey Department of Health report (2019), 33 measles cases were confirmed between 2018 and 2019.
The victims were both young and old and were either unimmunized or had an unknown vaccination status (N.J. Health, 2019). Since 2019, with government intervention, confirmed measles cases have declined (See Figure 1). The number of cases dropped from 1274 to less than 150 in 2022.
Impact of Measles Outbreak on the Government
The outbreaks of infectious diseases significantly impact the American government, as they require special treatment procedures, such as isolation, to be eradicated. The government allocates resources to control and contain the illness. The CDC provides logistical support, funds, and personnel to implement the strategies. According to Pike et al. (2020), the spreading of measles in the U.S. is facilitated by unimmunized residents who travel internationally.
Efforts by the U.S. government through the CDC to mitigate the outbreak can strain public health resources. About 5.3 million dollars were used to prevent the spread of morbilli between 2004 and 2017 (Pike et al., 2020). Government-funded vaccination campaigns in affected areas, such as Ohio, help educate the public about the importance of vaccination. The leadership must source funds from other regions when the healthcare budget is strained.
Morbilli outbreaks in the U.S. forced the government to intervene to protect its citizens. Preventing deaths related to measles outbreaks can be done quickly by getting vaccinated. With the outbreak of this contagious illness increasing in recent times in the U.S., the fatality rate is also on the rise.
Rubeola causes renal, pulmonary, and hematologic complications, which can lead to death (CDC, 2019). This illness is considered a top vaccine-preventable killer, especially among children who are not immunized. The CDC (2024) states that 1 in 1000 cases of rubeola lead to death, and 1 in 4 instances result in hospitalization. Without vaccinations, the number of casualties and hospitalizations in the U.S. would be on the rise. The increase in cases affects the economy and school programs, as schools are forced to shut down and implement containment measures.
Pharmaceutical Companies’ Response to Measles Outbreak
The U.S. government is highly invested in controlling the measles outbreaks. Prevention is considered the best alternative to treating particular sicknesses. Pharmaceutical companies play a significant role in attaining health by developing, manufacturing, and distributing medicines. The MMR vaccine helps prevent measles, which, if left untreated, can be fatal (CDC, 2024).
With the U.S. experiencing a surge in rubella cases, Merck, the only producer of the MMR vaccine contracted by the government, confirms that production is underway (Palmer, 2019). Through the CDC, the U.S. government provides affordable vaccines through the immunization programs (Palmer, 2019). The availability of the vaccine ensures that the government has enough resources to help in fighting the pandemic if it occurs.
The government views pharmaceutical companies as essential partners in preventing the spread of contagious diseases. The MMR vaccine was licensed in 1971, and Merck contracted to produce and distribute the vaccine across all healthcare settings, thereby increasing public immunization rates (CDC, 2021). The availability of the MMR vaccine resulted in the elimination of rubeola in the U.S. before new cases were reintroduced by travelers from abroad in the early 2000s (Pike et al., 2020). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that the vaccines provided are safe and pose no severe health risks to users (Palmer, 2019; Pike et al., 2020). Pharmaceutical companies develop relevant and secure vaccines to treat illnesses through these interventions.
Recommendations
The United States government, through the CDC, provides guidelines on preventing future measles outbreaks. It is highly recommended that all children receive two doses of MMR and that unimmunized adults receive at least one dose before traveling abroad. The first jab is administered to children at about 13 months old, and the second at about 3 years old (CDC, 2019).
The MMR vaccine is cheap, reliable, and safe, as it has been tested and approved by the FDA and the CDC. If a child misses the jabs at the stipulated time, they can still be immunized at any age, with the two doses administered four weeks apart. According to the CDC (2024), many individuals highly affected by rubeola lack at least one vaccination. Those immunized are less likely to acquire the illness even if exposed to the virus.
Comprehensive community immunization programs, which are the most effective approach, can help eradicate measles. Partnering with society is critical to ensuring that prevention and management strategies for contagious diseases like measles are made public. Community outreach raises awareness and educates reluctant members about the importance of vaccination.
This interaction addresses myths and misconceptions about vaccines by providing accurate information to the population. According to the CDC (2019), targeted vaccination campaigns among healthcare professionals and the community reduced measles cases as vaccination rates increased. To completely eradicate measles, the government and the public must work together to identify cases earlier to prevent spreading.
Conclusion
Contagious sicknesses are easily spread from one person to another through the slightest contact or interaction. The CDC identifies international travel and being unvaccinated as the significant factors that contribute to the spread of rubeola in America. It is reported that residents sometimes bring the virus back home after visiting affected regions. The major impact of measles on the government includes outbreaks, which can cause financial setbacks.
To help mitigate the measles outbreak, the U.S. government allocates funds and resources through various health departments, such as the CDC. Pharmaceutical companies like Merck play a crucial role in eradicating the disease in the U.S. by developing the necessary treatments, such as the MMR vaccine. The U.S. government strongly recommends that all children be immunized twice, as this helps prevent them from contracting the illness quickly. Organizing community immunization programs helps dispel misinformation about MMR vaccines, thereby increasing vaccination rates.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Pinkbook: Measles. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Measles outbreak — Central Ohio, 2022–2023 (pp. 847–849).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Measles cases and outbreaks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
County of Los Angeles. (2024). Public health confirms measles case in Los Angeles County. County of Los Angeles.
Kekatos, M. (2023). Measles outbreak in American Samoa declared public health emergency. ABC News.
Maryland Department of Health. (2024). One case of measles confirmed in Maryland resident with recent international travel. Maryland.gov.
New Jersey Department of Health. (2019). 2019 Measles outbreak in Ocean County: What You Need to Know! (pp. 1–4).
Palmer, E. (2019). Merck has supplies in hand as measles cases spike to highest number in 25 years. FIERCE Pharma.
Pike, J., Leidner, A. J., & Gastañaduy, P. A. (2020). A review of measles outbreak cost estimates from the U.S. in the post-elimination era (2004-2017): Estimates by perspective and cost type. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 71(6), 1–15.
San Diego County of Health and Human Services. (2024). Local measles situation 2024. SanDiegoCounty.gov.
World Health Organization. (2023). Measles. World Health Organization.