Health officials in New Jersey are urging anyone who attended last week’s Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium to watch for measles symptoms. This comes after it was confirmed that an infectious person was present at the event.

While there’s no confirmed measles outbreak in New Jersey, the U.S. and parts of North America are seeing a rise in cases this year — including hundreds of infections in West Texas. This surge comes as vaccination rates, which protect 97% of people after two doses, have been dropping.

Measles outbreaks are especially common in places like schools and daycares. For example, three public schools in western North Dakota recently sent all unvaccinated students home for 21 days after exposure, following state law.

Here’s a simple guide to understanding measles and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

What’s Going On with Measles in the U.S.?

Most children in the U.S. get vaccinated before starting school, but more people are skipping shots for personal or religious reasons. This has caused outbreaks across 30 states so far this year, with over 1,000 cases and 11 states reporting outbreaks (three or more linked cases).

The largest outbreaks are in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Canada and Mexico are also seeing significant increases.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. It mainly affects children but can infect anyone.

“On average, one infected person may pass measles to about 15 others,” says Scott Weaver, a virus expert. “Very few viruses spread this easily.”

Symptoms start in the respiratory tract and then spread throughout the body. Early signs include a high fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. A distinctive red rash appears a few days later, starting on the face and spreading downward. When the rash shows up, the fever can spike above 104°F.

There’s no specific cure for measles, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms and preventing complications.

Can Measles Be Deadly?

While most people recover, measles can be serious, especially for unvaccinated individuals. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans with measles end up hospitalized. Complications include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and, rarely, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), which can cause lasting damage.

Pregnant women without immunity risk premature birth or low birth weight babies.

“Children are most vulnerable to severe illness,” says Weaver. Pneumonia is the leading cause of measles-related deaths.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The best protection is the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). The first dose is recommended at 12-15 months old, and the second between 4-6 years old.

Before the vaccine was developed in the 1960s, nearly everyone caught measles. The vaccine is safe, effective, and has decades of proven success.

“We could stop outbreaks if 95% of the population were vaccinated,” Weaver explains. “Unfortunately, many areas have fallen below this crucial threshold.”

Vaccination rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, putting communities at higher risk.

Do You Need a Booster Shot?

Generally, people who got both MMR doses are protected for life. Testing for immunity is possible, and a booster may be recommended if antibody levels are low or if you are in an outbreak area.

Adults who received a live vaccine in the 1960s don’t need revaccination. But those who got an earlier, less effective killed-virus vaccine before 1968 should get at least one MMR dose now.

People who had measles before or were born before 1957 usually have immunity and don’t require vaccination.

If you have underlying health issues or live with someone at risk, talk to your doctor about whether a booster shot is a good idea.

Bottom Line:

Measles spreads fast but is preventable. Staying up to date with the MMR vaccine is the safest way to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

If you attended the Shakira concert or have concerns about exposure, monitor symptoms closely and consult your healthcare provider.

Stay informed. Stay safe.

Source: AP News – Measles is very contagious. Here’s how to avoid it

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The cruise industry continues to grow rapidly, with approximately 37.1 million passengers expected to set sail in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). However, alongside this growth, another troubling statistic has emerged. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 2024 has seen the worst year for gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade.

Norovirus Outbreaks at Sea

The majority of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024 have been linked to norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. In December alone, five ships, including those from Cunard Line, Holland America, and Princess Cruises, reported widespread illness, with hundreds of passengers affected. The CDC considers an outbreak when 3% or more of a ship’s passengers and crew exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms.

Norovirus has long been associated with cruise ships due to the confined nature of these vessels, which makes it easier for the virus to spread. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, notes that norovirus is “known obviously as the cruise ship virus.” The virus can spread quickly in close quarters, and even a small amount of the virus can cause illness. It also lingers on surfaces, making it easy for passengers to contract the virus if they touch contaminated areas.

A More Severe Season

Norovirus tends to peak during the winter months, but this season has been particularly severe, both on land and at sea. Dr. Schaffner attributes the high number of outbreaks in December 2024 to this more intense seasonal occurrence.

Despite this, the cruise industry maintains that gastrointestinal incidents on board are extremely rare. The Cruise Lines International Association emphasized in a statement that these outbreaks are reported more quickly on cruise ships than on land, thanks to strict reporting protocols. On average, the CDC records 19-21 million cases of norovirus in the U.S. annually.

Other Causes of Outbreaks

While norovirus dominated the 2024 outbreaks, other causes of gastrointestinal illness have been reported as well. In September 2024, a salmonella outbreak was reported on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas. Additionally, an E. coli outbreak occurred on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova earlier in the year, and the cause of another outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas remains unknown.

Rising Outbreak Numbers

In total, the CDC recorded 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024, the highest number in over a decade. By comparison, there were 14 outbreaks in 2023. However, a CDC spokesperson cautioned that while recent years have seen higher numbers of outbreaks than in the years before the pandemic, it is still unclear whether this represents a new trend. The period between 2020 and 2022 saw fewer outbreaks, largely due to the cruise industry’s shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidelines for Staying Healthy Onboard

The CDC advises passengers to report any symptoms of stomach illness immediately and follow medical staff recommendations to help prevent further spread. Hand hygiene is also crucial, and passengers are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating or drinking. While cruise ships take extensive measures to control outbreaks—such as quarantining ill passengers and increasing cleaning protocols—the highly infectious nature of norovirus means that these measures are not always fully effective.

Dr. Schaffner adds that despite the best efforts of cruise lines, norovirus is so contagious that it is likely to spread beyond these preventive measures. He suggests that travelers who feel ill should stay home and rebook their cruise, and be particularly vigilant about hand hygiene, using soap and water instead of hand sanitizers, which are less effective against norovirus.

Looking Ahead

Experts remain uncertain about whether the surge in norovirus cases will continue into 2025. Dr. Schaffner notes that predicting the future of norovirus outbreaks is difficult, and it’s best to “wait and see.” In the meantime, passengers should prioritize hygiene and health while aboard, ensuring they follow all safety guidelines provided by the cruise line.

Source

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