6/26/14 Counties hit by measles outbreak seek health emergency declaration

  • By Nick Sabo
  • June 26, 2014
  • 411
                        
SUMMARY: More than 10,000 doses of MMR vaccince have been distributed since the outbreak began in April. As of June 26, the ODH has confirmed 357 cases of the measles in nine counties, with 51 in Holmes County. Ten of the cases have resulted in hospitalization. As the Ohio measles outbreak enters its third month, local health districts are feeling the strain. A coalition of health districts from Ashland, Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Richland, and Wayne counties have submitted a request to the director of the Ohio Department of Health to declare the outbreak a public health emergency. The declaration would open the health districts to financial relief from state and federal sources, recouping losses incurred fighting the outbreak. More than 10,000 doses have been of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine have been administered in the six-county area since the outbreak began in April, Pam Palm, a spokesperson for the six-county coalition said. The vaccine itself is free, provided by the Ohio Department of Health. However, staffing vaccination clinics is not. Palm said there has not been an official tally of expenses incurred in the six county area. In Holmes County, where more than 5,023 doses of MMR have been distributed as of July 25, the cost for staff and supplies stands at $55,000, according to Holmes County Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden. McFadden said he expects the cost to go up, costing the district an estimated $75,000 once all is said and done. Holmes County has distributed the highest number of vaccines, followed by Knox County. Knox County has distributed approximately 1,500 doses of MMR, Palm said. The numbers include booster shots. A single dose of MMR is 93 percent effective against measles; with a booster, the effective rate is 99 percent. Despite the cost, health officials feel they are doing the best they can to provide vaccine for all who request it. Palm said the 1,500 vaccines in Knox County represent a good ratio of the at-risk, unvaccinated population. McFadden said most of the vaccine administered at recent clinics are boosters, with attendance at “around one-quarter” of clinics at the start of the outbreak. “I think we’ve done better than expected,” McFadden said. “I feel we’ve done a really remarkable job getting people vaccinated.” McFadden said there is still some resistance to vaccination. Some families who have had a single case were “not going out of their way” to stop the disease from spreading to other family members, McFadden said. The reason appears to be a belief that it is better to get the measles and build an immunity, rather than become vaccinated. Palm said the outbreak appears to be slowing. For vigilance on behalf of health officials and the community to slacken now would be dangerous, however. “As the cases wane, people might start feeling more comfortable, that the danger has passed,” Palm said. “We won’t know for at least two more months” if the outbreak is over, Palm said. As of June 26, the ODH has confirmed 357 cases of the measles in nine counties, with 51 in Holmes County. Ten of the cases have resulted in hospitalization. The outbreak began when an unvaccinated individual from Knox County got the disease on a mission trip the the Philippines.


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