The public health officials of Clark County are warning people of misinformation about measles spreading online.
Until now, Clark County health officials have confirmed 31 cases of measles. Since the outbreak begun, the Facebook comment sections have ignited. So now public health officials are not just battling the measles outbreak, but also fighting the war against misinformation.
Nathan Webster, who has four children, has noticed this type of misinformation spreading online. All four of his kids have undergone immunization and he understands where such information about anti-vaxxers or vaccine disagreements come from.
He said, “We live in a time too where information is so readily available, but which ones you choose.”
The Clark County Public Health Director, Dr. Alan Melnick said misinformation has been spreading. He stated, “I think that misinformation is doing a disservice and it’s dangerous.”
The misinformation could plausibly keep one from vaccinating themselves or their children.
For instance, some people think measles is not deadly, which is incorrect, explains Melnick.
He further went to say that, “Before the vaccine became available in the ’60s and we started mass vaccination, 400 to 500 people in the U.S. died every year.”
Recently, according to the European CDC, 35 people died due to measles in Europe
Dr. Dino Ramzi, Family Medicine Physician in Battle Ground, says, “Some parents are afraid and don’t know what to believe.”
However, things could be changing a bit. Since the measles outbreak, Dr. Ramzi says, “they’re vaccinating more people at his office.”
Usually, they vaccinate about three a month. But now, it has gone up to five a day. The physician says he has now seen people coming in who do not have any immunization. He is offering free immunization to anyone who is below 18 years of age.
