Community News

WESTON, FL – February 20, 2024 – A cluster of 6 measles cases was first reported on February 16^th at the Manatee Bay Elementary School, a public school in Broward County, near Miami. The CD reported that as of February 23^rd, there have been at least 35 cases in 15 states this year. Widespread measles vaccination since 1963 has nearly eliminated the disease in the U.S. 3-4 million Americans had measles annually before the vaccine, according to the CDC. Nearly every child got measles by the time they were 15 years old, including myself. Fewer than 200 cases a year have been reported in the U.S. between 1997 and 2013. More than 200 cases a year occurred in only 3 years out of the next 10.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through airborne droplets when an infected individual sneezes or coughs. The droplets can remain in the air for up to 2 hours. The onset of symptoms can occur 8 to 14 days after exposure. Measles is recognized by a rash on the face and neck appearing 3-5 days after symptoms begin. The rash can spread to the rest of the body. Signs and symptoms include: a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. 20% of infected unvaccinated children require hospitalization. The virus spreads between 4 days prior and 4 days after the rash appears. The illness can cause permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability after brain swelling, and respiratory complications after pneumonia. Fatalities occur in about 1% of hospitalized persons.

The risk of contracting measles is very low in persons who had the illness or have been vaccinated. The measles vaccine has become a part of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine since 1971. The MMR vaccine is given as a series of 2 doses. The first dose is at 12 to 15 months of age. The second dose is at 4 to 6 years of age. After 2 doses, 98% of people are protected against getting infected with measles; therefore, the infection is almost completely preventable. Vaccination is done before a child enters kindergarten in the U.S. The CDC has recommended a 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity. However, the CDC reports that the vaccination rate has dropped in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic because an increased number of exemptions have been obtained by parents.

Up to 90% of unvaccinated persons who have never had measles before will become infected if they are exposed to a person with measles. Measles outbreaks in the U.S. can occur from international travelers who get measles in nations with a low vaccination rate. Upon return, the infection can spread to unvaccinated people and to communities with low vaccination rates. The Broward County School Superintendent reported on February 21^st that 97% of the students at the Manatee Bay school have been vaccinated, above the U.S. target. At this time, it has not been determined whether the infected students had been vaccinated or not.

Few adverse reactions arise from the measles vaccine. Children can develop fever, tiredness, and a rash 10% of the time, and joint pain 3% of the time. Severe reaction rarely occurs after vaccination, in about 3 out of 1 million people. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown no association between the vaccine and autism.

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Minnesota’s Center for infectious Disease Research and Policy said, “We’re going to see more kids seriously ill, hospitalized and even die. And what’s so tragic about this, these are all preventable.”

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

ASHEVILLE, NC –  February 28, 2024 – We are past the holiday season peak for respiratory viral infections.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on February 17^th shows:  

• Hospital admission levels are low in about 85% of the counties in North Carolina, including Buncombe County, and high in 0%. They are low in more than 90% of the counties in the U.S. and high in less than 1%. Admissions have decreased in the U.S. by about 5% and increased in North Carolina and Buncombe County from the previous week.
• About 3% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 3^rd lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency room visits for COVID-19 are low in North Carolina. This represents about 3% of all ER visits, the 2^nd lowest level of 5 groups

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on February 14^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is at a red level representing the highest level of 5 groups, currently between the 80^th and 100^th percentile relative to the past level measured at the same site.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has increased from the previous week, at 1-9%, the lowest level of 3 groups for a positive rate of change.

The CDC’s weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending on February 17^th indicates that North Carolina is at a moderate level. Last week, North Carolina was at a high level.

The CDC reported that the 3-week average for the percent positivity for RSV PCR tests in North Carolina for the week ending on February 17^th shows that it continues to decrease, to below 2%.

The North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard for the week ending on February 17^th shows that

• The percentage of emergency room visits for people with respiratory virus symptoms has decreased.
• COVID and flu hospital admissions have increased
• There were more COVID admissions than flu.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, the CDC director, told Yahoo Life, if you are starting to feel sick with a cough, sore throat or fever: get tested, get treatment, and stay home.

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – February 7, 2024 – Starting this fall, Medicaid funds will be appropriated towards paying the rent for low resource people who meet certain criteria. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), at least 19 states will be allocating funds from Medicaid to address the homelessness crisis. While clinical care is estimated to contribute 10-20% to health outcomes, the remaining 80-90% of modifiable health factors are health-related behaviors, socioeconomic factors, and physical environment factors (like safe housing). Having a decent, stable, and safe place to live is the first prerequisite to better health and reducing harmful behaviors. Therefore, the Biden administration has made this possible by encouraging states to test out new Medicaid pilot programs promoting social needs like housing, nutrition, and transportation. Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for people with low resources and disabilities. Three percent of Medicaid dollars go to social needs like housing, representing billions of dollars yearly.

The new pilot program allows Medicaid to fund up to 6 months of rent. Meanwhile, participating states could expand rent coverage if they find health outcome improvements and cost-savings. Arizona and Oregon will be the first states to provide rental assistance this fall. Eligible persons in Oregon will use the funds to avoid losing their home. It is estimated than 125 thousand Oregon Medicaid beneficiaries will qualify. Arizona is planning to expand upon a current program for Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental illness to keep their house or to obtain housing. Preliminary data indicate a large reduction in emergency room visits, fewer hospital admissions, and a significant cost savings. 17 other states have applied to the new Medicaid program, including: New York, California, Hawaii, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Montana, and Washington.

The need for housing has never been greater than the present time because of economic challenges like the scarcity of affordable housing, lack of employment opportunities, and low wages. Mental and physical health also play a role. More and more Americans are homeless, reaching record highs in 2023 to more than 650 thousand people.

Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told KFF News, “A health care dollar can do more than just pay for a doctor visit or hospital stay.”

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]