Amidst the most severe nationwide measles outbreak in three decades, hospitals in Milwaukee are priming their response protocols and educating healthcare providers against potential cases. Dr. Mary Beth Graham, a key figure in this immersive preparatory process, emphasized that these measures were set into motion several months ago, significantly before measles cases spread to the state.
Dr. Graham is not only the medical director of infection prevention and control at Froedtert Hospital but also serves as an infectious disease physician and professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She remarked that the twin health systems have been proactive in disseminating information about measles via their websites and other channels. By designing specific ‘care pathways’, it has been made straightforward for providers to identify, diagnose and determine the course of care for potential measles patients.
The severity of measles, stated as one of the most contagiously infectious diseases, takes on a menacing tone against the backdrop of Wisconsin’s falling MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine coverage. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin ranks 48 out of 50 states, with the MMR coverage for kindergarteners standing at a lowly rate of 84.8% for the academic year of 2023-24, significantly below the national average of 92.5%. In Milwaukee Public Schools, the numbers are even more downtrodden, with 56% of kindergarteners receiving the required MMR vaccine, a statistic much lower than both national and state averages. Dr. Graham emphasized that above all, trust should be placed in the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.
While addressing the uncertainty surrounding the diverse range of symptoms displayed by measles cases, Dr. Graham noted that serious instances could lead to encephalitis and, in some extremes, even death. She underscored the alarming lack of a dedicated drug that cures measles despite the existence of preventive measures.
Further comment comes from Dr. Michael Gutzeit, president of Children’s Wisconsin, who confirmed on Monday that protocols are set in motion to equip themselves against potential cases. Simultaneously, the Milwaukee Health Department offers free doses of the MMR vaccine at their clinics in various city locations, a preventive resource that is unfettered by age or insurance status.
This context places a sharp focus on the importance of proactive measles countermeasures and the paramount role played by trusted vaccinations.
Source: https://www.wisn.com/article/medical-director-says-froedtert-prepared-for-measles/65639866