The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has officially ended the city's measles alert, confirming that the outbreak which began in December is now over. It's been over six weeks without a new case, which signals the virus is no longer spreading amongst residents. The short-lived outbreak infected a total of nine people, eight from Philadelphia and one from the surrounding area.
During the outbreak, six individuals required hospitalization, and according to official reports, all have since been discharged. "In the past, Philadelphia has suffered from extensive measles outbreaks,” Dr. Landrus Burress, Director of Disease Control, told the Health Department. “Thanks to quick work by our staff and collaboration with healthcare and childcare systems throughout the region, we were able to quickly keep this outbreak small and resolved."
This controlled response was attributed significantly to the high vaccination rates within the city. A commendable 93% of Philadelphia residents are up-to-date on their Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations. This high rate of immunization proved essential in curbing the potential spread of the virus, which is known to be highly contagious.
In the wake of the outbreak, the city's health officials rolled up their sleeves to further prevent the spread. Free vaccine clinics were made available, offering a way for residents who needed to conveniently catch up on their MMR inoculations. "Two doses of vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles,” emphasized the Health Department's efforts in an educational outreach, urging residents to verify their own vaccination status with healthcare providers. The MMR vaccine has a longstanding record of safety and effectiveness, making it the best defense against such outbreaks.
The Health Department kept the public informed throughout the ordeal with consistent updates via their blog, helping maintain a transparent line of communication with city residents about the measles situation. With the outbreak declared officially over, it appears that Philadelphia's swift and organized response was a win for public health safety.
