An orphan girl, who acquired measles when she was still a toddler, died days before her 8th birthday, due to a rare complication she developed from the disease.
Erica Finkelstein-Parker, with heartfelt intention, organized her daughter's 8th birthday celebration. Due to Emmalee's love for airplanes, the chosen theme was "Flying High with Emmalee," and Erica meticulously prepared nearly two dozen vibrant goody bags for all of Emmalee's classmates to ensure inclusivity.
Girl Dies from Rare Measles Complication
However, months later, these treat bags remained untouched in Erica's bedroom, serving as poignant reminders of an unfulfilled birthday party.
Emmalee, adopted from an Indian orphanage at the age of 2 ½, developed a rare measles complication, leading to spending her 8th birthday in hospice care at her family's home. Sadly, Emmalee passed away on January 2, 2011.
Erica emphasizes the persistent threat of measles, describing it as a stealth virus that can hide in the nervous system even after it appears to have cleared from the body.
The global resurgence of measles, attributed to declines in immunizations and rising vaccine hesitancy, heightens the risk of severe complications and fatalities, according to Dr. James Cherry from UCLA.
New cases of measles in the U.S. linked to not vaccinated travelers underscore the virus's endemic nature.
Dr. Amesh Adalja advises that a single distorted traveler can inflame a surge, highlighting the virus's higher spreading compared to COVID-19 or the flu.
Measles Vaccine Could Protect Children, Prevent Outbreak
While the measles vaccine provides 97% safety with two doses, epidemics are only stagnant when approximately 95% of children in a community are vaccinated.
Vaccine exemptions, primarily for religious, philosophical, or medical reasons, add to the challenge of extensive outbreaks, with around 3% of students currently excluded from vaccine mandates.
Dr. Peter Hotez weighs the unnecessary danger taken by those who choose not to vaccinate against measles, as the vaccine has been always proven secure.
The long-term consequences of measles include medication, ear infections with possible hearing loss, pneumonia, and a mortality rate of 10 to 30 deaths per 10,000 contaminated children.
Measles can also result in "immune amnesia," causing the immune system to drop its capability to fight formerly immune viruses.
Patricia Stinchfield mentions additional symptoms, hospitalizations, and the vulnerability of babies, who are not routinely vaccinated against measles until 12 to 15 months.
Emmalee's tragic case involved a rare complication called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which manifested years after apparent recovery from measles, causing seizures, memory loss, and ultimately leading to her passing.
The story highlights the destructive weight of measles and features the effect of vaccination to avoid such misfortune.
Important Reminders as Measles Can Cause Greater Harm
- Measles is highly infected, to the extent that even a single case is deemed an epidemic.
- Over the past two months, various cases of measles have been identified by doctors in the United States, primarily linked to individuals who have not received vaccinations.
- Those who opt not to vaccinate their children against measles are undertaking significant and unnecessary risks.
- Measles frequently exposes patients to secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, which stands as one of the most prevalent causes of death among those afflicted with measles.
- Many children suffering from measles experience dehydration and malnourishment during the course of their illness.
- Individuals with measles can transmit the virus for a period of nine days, spanning from four days before the appearance of characteristic spots until four days after.
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