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A measles outbreak along the Utah-Arizona border is now the second-largest outbreak in the U.S. this year. "As of Friday, 161 [measles] cases had been confirmed in Utah and Arizona," reports Erika Edwards of NBC News.
Most of the area's 161 confirmed cases involved residents of Hildale, Utah, or Colorado City, Arizona—an isolated region collectively known as "Short Creek," home to roughly 4,000 residents.
The country's largest measles outbreak, which began in January this year, was first identified in rural West Texas and spread into New Mexico, where it infected at least 862 people and killed three.
Both communities where measles outbreaks have occurred share several factors, including declining vaccination rates, a cultural distrust in government intrusion and modern medicine, along with "strong ties to religious sects," Edwards reports.
When measles began to spread in Short Creek, some families turned to herbal remedies rather than visiting a licensed medical professional. Edwards explains, "A similar phenomenon was seen in West Texas: In the city of Seminole, parents of children sick with measles flocked to Health 2 U for cod liver oil, an unproven remedy."
Although 11 people from Short Creek have been hospitalized from measles complications, the community is once again embracing vaccinations. Edwards reports, "the area saw a 14% increase in vaccinations during July through September of this year, compared to the same time period in 2024."
from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2nXxiRU Second-largest measles outbreak in U.S. found in an isolated community with reduced vaccination rates - Entrepreneur Generations
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