Show PARENTS Help Eliminate the Measles eS The Summer Search f for r Measles was officially launched today by the State Department of Health according to Dr James O. O Mason 0 Director of Health The goal of this intensive effort in August and September is to laca locate te all cases of measles in the Ute state and cut the chain of transmission According to Dr Mason once a case of measles is identified the plan is to intervene so that that- the disease cannot spread to others This program in Utah is a part of a national effort to eliminate measles from the United States Public support is essential to our efforts to eradicate this disease said Dr Mason I am requesting the of all citizens in order to reach the goal of total measles elimination elimination elimina elimina- tion lion in Utah There are two primary areas where all ci citizens ens can n participate participate participate pate to support the state and local health d departments in the Summer Search for Measles 1 Parents need to check the immunization records of their children Children should be immunized as soon as possible if there is no no record of measles immunization if a child was immunized im im- before foIe his or her first birthday or orif if there is any uncertainty uncertainty uncertainty un un- un- un certainty as to immunization Of particular concern are teenagers teenagers teenagers teen teen- agers and y young adults These age groups appear to be at a greater risk and are re the least likely to be adequately This is also an ideal opportunity to review the childs child's entire immunization history to ensure protection against all the so- so called childhood diseases 2 Parents Parents' are requested to immediately report to their physician or local health department any any suspect cases of measles in their families Measles is characterized by a high f fever eyer runny y nose cough light sensitive reddened or sore eyes and skin rash Children with these symptoms should be kept at home to avoid transmission of the disease to to others Dr Mason explained that A August gust and September were sel- sel Cont Conton on page 5 4 M MEASLES L ES t v xi u CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE J 7 as the months for this intensive measles search because t the e disease appears to be more vulnerable during this time Measles has a seasonal occurrence with fewest reported cases e inthe in the late summer and the greatest number of f cases reported in the late winter The disease maintains itself through a continuous continuous con con- chain of persons who ar are either ill or i incubating the disease The task for this and future efforts will be to interrupt interrupt inter inter- rupt this chain of tra transmission miss on Due to the suc success ess of the Immunization Initiative in raising immunization levels of children in Utah and the nation the number umber of reported cases of measles has been dropping This year may be e an all time low for this disease according to Dr Mason There may be as few as oo chai chains of measles transmission transmission transmission trans trans- mission in the entire country this summer r However if the disease is allowed to regain its momentum large outbreaks may occur this fall or winter Now appears to be an opportune time to search out the disease and cut its chain of sion Ten states including Utah Colorado Montana North Dakota South Dakota South Dakota Kansas Missouri Iowa and Nebraska are are are- working together in a coordinated summer search for measles in an a attempt tte pt to eliminate elimina te the disease from thi this region of the United States V THE fHE IMPACT OF MEASLES r AN N OUTBREAK OF 1000 REPORTED MEASLES CASES IN UTAH COULD MEAN THE FOLLOWING TO DAYS OF SERIOUS ILLNESS TO SCHOOL DAYS LOST 90 CASES OF MIDDLE EAR INFECTION WHICH COULD LEAD TO DEAFNESS 1 OR 2 CASES OF ENCEPHALITIS WHICH COULD LEAD TO MENTAL RETARDATION 10 TO 20 CASES OF or PNEUMONIA 1 OR 2 DEATHS RESULTING FROM COMPLICATIONS f ME MEASLES IMMUNIZATION UNITED SATES 77 1963 ESTIMATED ESTIMATED WE TO SAVINGS i ACTUAL AC UAL A f 1 OCCURRENCE MEASLES CASES Averted Occurred LIVES SAVED 1500 Deaths MENTAL RETARDATION Cases Resulted Averted PHYSICIAN VISITS Visits Saved Patient Visits HOSPITAL HOSPITAL DAYS Days Saved Patient Days DOLLAR 2 Billion 1 Billion EXPENDITURES IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONLY 10 PERCENT OF ALL MEASLES CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS IT IS ON THIS ESTIMATE THAT THE FOREGOING FIGURES ON RATES OF DEATH CASES OF MENTAL RE RETARDATION AND OTHER COST FACTORS HAVE BEEN PROJECTED |