Northwestern University infectious disease expert Dr. Tina Tan has expressed concerns about the ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas and along the New Mexico border. According to Dr. Tan, the outbreak is likely to continue spreading due to a significant unvaccinated population that remains vulnerable to what she describes as "one of the most contagious viruses."
Dr. Tan, who serves as a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an infectious disease physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, emphasized the importance of vaccination: “The vaccine is our best tool to protect individuals against measles.”
As president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Dr. Tan is available for media interviews regarding various aspects of the measles virus, including its rising cases, treatment options, vaccination schedules, disease severity, and herd immunity.
In discussing how contagious measles can be, Dr. Tan noted its high R0 value: “It’s one of the most contagious viruses with an R0 (‘R naught’) anywhere from 11-18.” This means that one infected person can potentially spread the virus to up to 18 others if they are susceptible.
Addressing potential treatments like clarithromycin, cod liver oil, and vitamin A, Dr. Tan clarified their roles: “Clarithromycin is an antibiotic, and antibiotics do not work against viruses... there’s absolutely no indication at all that cod liver oil has any effect on measles.” She added that vitamin A could help decrease infection severity in malnourished individuals but is not a direct treatment for measles.
Describing how measles presents itself in patients, Dr. Tan explained it involves more than just a rash: “It starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis followed by the development of the rash.” Complications can include ear infections and pneumonia among others.
For those born after 1957 who have received two appropriately spaced vaccinations post-1969, lifelong protection against measles is assured according to Dr. Tan. The recommended schedule includes vaccinations at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years old.
In situations where unvaccinated individuals are exposed to measles, immediate action can still offer protection: “They can still get vaccinated within 72 hours of exposure,” said Dr. Tan.
On herd immunity concerns due to waning vaccination rates, she warned: “There are so many immunocompromised people in the population who can’t receive it and they rely on herd immunity... you need 95% herd immunity rate to protect these people.”