First case in two decades of measles has been reported in Alabama.

 

Dr. Karen Landers, Chief Medical Officer at the Alabama Department of Public Health reported a north Alabama child under the age of five contracted the highly contagious virus after visiting another country.

The unvaccinated child did not attend daycare or school, so Landers says the risk of widespread measles is low, but it can easily be prevented.

“It’s one of the most effective vaccines that we have,” Landers said. “If you get two measles vaccines, probably 99% protected against measles. Our focus needs to really be on those unvaccinated children

Measles can spread through droplets in the air after sneezes or coughs. Dr. Landers says if you’re unvaccinated, you have a 90% chance of becoming infected once exposed.

“And there are a few people in Alabama who have chosen not to,” Landers said. “We would just ask people to rethink that.”

A child earlier this year traveling through central Alabama tested positive for Measles. There was no outbreak then, and Dr. Landers says it’s due in part to the state’s 95% immunization rate for kindergarteners. According to the CDC, only 10 states reach that threshold.

“Their immune system is very weak, so it’s so important for parents to keep their children up to date on their vaccines and specifically now,” Landers