BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The New York State Department of Health has issued a health advisory due to a measles outbreak across the U.S. and Canada, following the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade.
An unvaccinated school-aged child from Texas died from measles this week, prompting health officials to urge parents to vaccinate their children.
“That’s an incredibly contagious disease,” remarked Dr. Rachel Kaufman, a local pediatrician.
The Erie County Department of Health emphasized the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing further cases.
“Measles is preventable,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Health Commissioner, noting that there hasn’t been a measles case in the county since 2018.
Dr. Burstein highlighted that measles poses a significant risk to vulnerable populations.
“This really affects the most vulnerable people,” said Dr. Burstein. “It affects children. We know that pregnant people can get very sick. Our older adults can also …