Measles virus spreads from Santa Cruz County resident
A flight touched down at San Francisco International Airport, nearly a month ago, with passengers exposed to the measles virus.
Monday, Santa Cruz County Health Department learned that the person suspected of spreading the disease is a Santa Cruz County resident. County health officials said two passengers became infected with the measles, shortly after the flight.
The Central Coast resident was treated at a hospital in Santa Clara County. Although there are no reports that he, or she, returned to the Central Coast while infected, the Santa Cruz County Health Department is still taking the incident seriously.
“Measles is a very infectious disease. Not only is it infectious in the vicinity, but if you go into an area where an infectious individual was, the virus can hang around for as long as two hours,” said Dr. Arnold Leff, Medical Director for the Santa Cruz County Health Department.
County health officials said the last time the area was threatened with a measles outbreak was back in 2011. Dr. Leff said the 97%-effective vaccine is the only way to prevent future spread.
Others disagree and think parents should be aware of the risks associated with getting the vaccine. “T here is a risk of death. There is a risk of brain swelling. The question is, are you willing to take that risk, whatever risk that is, and you have to weigh it out yourself,” said Christina Hildebrand, with A Voice for Choice Advocacy.
The Center for Disease Control assures the public the vaccine is safe .
The Santa Cruz County Health Department said they’ve been working with surrounding counties to investigate the incident further. The disease has yet to spread beyond the three cases reported.
