CDC to send ‘disease detective’ to help tackle Pennsylvania measles outbreak
State has confirmed six measles-related deaths and county at center of outbreak lacks its own health department The county at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is at a clear disadvantage because, local officials say, it lacks its own health department and it will now get special assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a disease detective to assist in tackling Pennsylvania's measles outbreak, which has now confirmed 1,222 cases and six measles-related deaths. The county most affected by the outbreak, Lancaster, lacks its own health department, putting the community at a disadvantage in managing the crisis.
The CDC spokesperson stated that the agency will continue working closely with Pennsylvania health officials to provide the necessary expertise and support to contain the outbreak and protect public health. The CDC director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, also recommends the MMR vaccine as the most effective way to prevent measles and protect against infection.
Lancaster county, home to about 8% of the Amish community, has been particularly hard-hit, with the highest number of confirmed cases in the state. The local health department in Lancaster is reportedly struggling to communicate effectively with the public and coordinate a swift response due to the lack of a dedicated health department.
Public health officials in the state have expressed concern about the rising number of measles cases, fearing that the outbreak could spread beyond its current center. As Pennsylvania braces for more measles cases, the CDC's involvement and the release of nearly $4 million in funding are expected to bolster the state's response efforts.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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