LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — There are a couple of new diseases to worry about. They are really two old diseases that are making a comeback in Michigan.
That outbreak of Hepatitis A that had been confined to South East Michigan has now spread statewide.
Epidemiologist Brian Hartl says people most at risk are the homeless, people who use illegal drugs, and gay men. Kent County is now seeing more than their share of the disease.
State Public Health officials are also warning about the Measles.
They have 15 cases, the most they have seen in nearly a quarter century. They are urging anyone who hasn’t had a measles shot to get one.
Many of the cases have been connected to travel overseas. Measles outbreaks have been reported throughout Western Europe including in Romania, France, Greece and Italy.
In addition, Israel’s Ministry of Health recently reported more than 1,300 measles patients, including a toddler who died from the illness. “The increases in measles cases being reported drives home the importance of being up-to-date on vaccines,” said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive. “Immunizations are the best way to protect our families and communities from the harmful, sometimes deadly consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.”
It becomes a numbers game. The disease can only be controlled if there are enough people around who have been immunized to keep it isolated what they call “herd immunity.”
If there are large enough segments of the community, like the ultra-orthodox segment in the Israeli population, it can provide an avenue for the disease to spread.
