Measles Outbreak

During the first two months of 2019, there have been over 200 cases of measles reported in 11 states across the country. Though many have thought measles had been eradicated in the United States, there have been frequent outbreaks among unvaccinated populations during the 21st century. Washington state declared a state of emergency in January due to 55 cases of measles, mostly in unvaccinated children under 10.

Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for Measles Outbreak

Links

“Clark County keeps 800 students out of school due to measles outbreak”
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/measles-outbreak/clark-county-keeps-800-students-out-school-due-measles-outbreak-n980491

“One New York City student with measles sickened 21 people amid outbreak”
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/measles-outbreak/one-new-york-city-student-measles-sickened-21-people-amid-n981006

“Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube are cracking down on fake vaccine news”
https://www.vox.com/2019/3/1/18244384/measles-outbreak-vaccine-washington

“U.S. Surgeon General visits Vancouver to address measles outbreak”
https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2019/03/us-surgeon-general-visits-vancouver-to-address-measles-outbreak.html

“Measles outbreak has kept 800 Washington kids out of school”
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/another-cost-of-the-measles-outbreak-the-800-students-kept-out-of-school/

“Measles is back because states give parents too many ways to avoid vaccines”
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/2/16/18223764/measles-outbreak-2019-vaccines-anti-vax

“Measles outbreaks nearing levels not seen since 1992. Anti-vax propaganda is partly to blame”
http://fortune.com/2019/03/08/measles-outbreak-cdc-vaccines-2019/

“Senator in epicenter of U.S. measles outbreak thinks the vaccine isn’t safe. (She’s wrong.)”
https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/j57kkd/senator-in-epicenter-of-us-measles-outbreak-thinks-the-vaccine-isnt-safe-shes-wrong

“Measles outbreaks 2019: This is why we get vaccinated”
https://blog.uvahealth.com/2019/01/30/measles-outbreaks/

Assessment

• Writing: Why is measles spreading in the United States?
• Debate: The United States ought to require mandatory vaccination against measles.
• Poll: Do you believe that parents should be able to decide which immunizations to give their children?
• Short Answer: Why is measles vaccination controversial?

Current events quiz:

1) We are currently experiencing some of the highest numbers of measles cases in the United States since:

a. 1982
b. 1992
c. 1998
d. 1985

2) The highest number of recent measles cases are being reported in which state?

a. Washington
b. Nevada
c. Delaware
d. Minnesota

3) Measles is typically found in:

a. The elderly
b. The middle-aged
c. Children under 10
d. All of these

4) Reports state that, despite the hype, there have been fewer than 700 students exposed to measles in Clark County. (T/F)

5) Many social media platforms are attempting to crack down and stop the spread of anti-vaccination propaganda. (T/F)

6) The majority of children affected by measles are unvaccinated children under the age of 10. (T/F)

Answers:

1) B

2) A

3) C

4) False

5) True

6) True

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