Unvaccinated Fairfield County, CT, child diagnosed with measles

A Fairfield County child was diagnosed with measles after traveling internationally, the state Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon.

The child wasn’t vaccinated against the disease, the DPH said. As of March 5, no measles cases had been reported in the country this year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention.

“The single best way to protect yourself and your children from measles is to be vaccinated,” DPH Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford said. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has been happening, some children have fallen behind on their immunizations. This measles case is an important reminder that these vaccine-preventable diseases still pose a threat, and that we must protect children through on-time vaccination.”

Although measles spreads easily, most people aren’t at risk because they’ve been vaccinated, or had measles previously, the DPH said. “One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus,” they said. “Two doses are about 97% effective.”

https://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-br-connecticut-reports-measles-case-fairfield-county-20210409-jeqee3raajetrah2lne5cklhvu-story.html