At least seven confirmed measles cases reported in Chicago from January 1 to March 14
CDC issued a Health Alert Network for Measles Outbreak in Chicago and U.S.
Measles cases have increased this year due to pockets of unvaccinated and undervaccinated communities leading to sporadic outbreaks across the country
Measles is highly contagious and can infect up to 10 people with one exposure
One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection, but two doses are 97% effective. If someone has had two doses, they do not need a booster dose.
Travelers who get sick with measles should seek medical attention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases, as well as provide guidance on measles prevention for all international travelers aged 6 months or older who have not received the MMR vaccine, and children aged 12 months or younger who do not plan to travel internationally.
From January 1 to March 14, CDC has been notified of at least seven confirmed measles cases in Chicago. The number of measles cases in the US has increased this year due to pockets of unvaccinated and undervaccinated communities that have led to sporadic outbreaks across the country.
One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection if exposed to the virus, but two doses are 97% effective. If someone has had two doses of the MMR vaccine, they do not need a booster dose and are essentially protected for life. The CDC recommends that infants get vaccinated before they go abroad if families plan to travel internationally.
Measles is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact. Measles virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person has passed through a room and people can become infected if they touch a surface with virus particles, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Travelers who get sick with measles should seek medical attention but give advance notice before going to clinic to prevent potential spread of infection.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert to doctors on Monday to increase awareness of the international spread of measles.
Many countries, including Austria, Philippines, Romania and the United Kingdom are experiencing measles outbreaks.
Vaccination rates against measles in the US have fallen just a little bit from 95% to 93% which represents about 250,000 kindergarteners who are unprotected.
The CDC recommends that infants get vaccinated before they go abroad if families plan to travel internationally.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
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Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that vaccination rates against measles in the US are 'pretty strong', but this statement is misleading as it implies a higher level of protection than what has been scientifically proven. According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection, while a single dose is about 93%. This means that there is still a significant risk of contracting measles for vaccinated individuals. Secondly, the author states that 'vaccination rates have fallen just a little bit from 95% to 93%', but this statement is also misleading as it implies that these figures represent an actual decline in vaccination rates when in fact they are simply two percentage points apart. Thirdly, the article quotes Dr. Nirav Shah stating that 'two percentage points may not seem like a lot, but across the population, it represents about 250,000 kindergarteners who are unprotected'. However, this statement is deceptive as it implies that these figures represent an actual decline in vaccination rates when in fact they simply reflect the difference between two percentage points. Finally, the article quotes Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld stating that 'vaccines remain among the most effective and safest intervention to both prevent individual illness and protect the health of the public'. However, this statement is deceptive as it implies a level of protection against measles that has not been scientifically proven.
The author claims that vaccination rates against measles in the US are 'pretty strong', but this statement is misleading. According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection, while a single dose is about 93%. This means that there is still a significant risk of contracting measles for vaccinated individuals.
The author states that 'vaccination rates have fallen just a little bit from 95% to 93%', but this statement is also misleading. These figures are simply two percentage points apart and do not represent an actual decline in vaccination rates.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that vaccination rates against measles in the US are 'pretty strong'. However, this statement is not supported with any evidence or data. Secondly, there is a dichotomous depiction of herd immunity when it's stated that 95% of kindergarteners have been vaccinated against measles and below the herd immunity threshold. This implies that only those who are unvaccinated can spread the disease, but this is not entirely accurate as there are other factors such as exposure to infected individuals and vaccine effectiveness rates. Thirdly, there is an inflammatory rhetoric used when it's stated that measles virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person has passed through a room. This statement creates fear and panic among readers without providing any context or evidence on how to prevent infection from this virus.
The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that vaccination rates against measles in the US are 'pretty strong'. However, this statement is not supported with any evidence or data.
There is a dichotomous depiction of herd immunity when it's stated that 95% of kindergarteners have been vaccinated against measles and below the herd immunity threshold. This implies that only those who are unvaccinated can spread the disease, but this is not entirely accurate as there are other factors such as exposure to infected individuals and vaccine effectiveness rates.
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when it's stated that measles virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person has passed through a room. This statement creates fear and panic among readers without providing any context or evidence on how to prevent infection from this virus.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards vaccination and portrays the rise in measles cases as a threat to public health. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who are not vaccinated, such as saying 'vaccination rates have fallen just a little bit from 95% to 93%'. This implies that these individuals are responsible for the spread of measles and puts them in an unfavorable light.
The article portrays the rise in measles cases as a threat to public health. The author uses language such as 'measles outbreaks, increasing the risk of measles outbreaks' which creates a sense of urgency and fear.
The author uses language that dehumanizes those who are not vaccinated, such as saying 'vaccination rates have fallen just a little bit from 95% to 93%'. This implies that these individuals are responsible for the spread of measles and puts them in an unfavorable light.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest on several topics related to measles and vaccination. The CDC is an organization that provides guidance on public health issues including vaccinations. As such, it's possible that the author may have a financial or personal relationship with the CDC which could compromise their ability to report objectively.
The article mentions several countries where measles outbreaks are occurring and reports on efforts by US health officials to address these outbreaks. The author does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to these topics.
The number of measles cases in the US has increased to 45 this year, with at least seven confirmed cases in Chicago.
Measles was considered eliminated in 2000 due to high vaccination rates but pockets of unvaccinated and undervaccinated communities have led to sporadic outbreaks across the country.
One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection if exposed to the virus but two doses are 97% effective.
If someone has had two doses of the MMR vaccine, they do not need a booster dose and are essentially protected for life.
The CDC recommends that infants get vaccinated before they go abroad if families plan to travel internationally.
Measles virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person has passed through a room and people can become infected if they touch a surface with virus particles, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Travelers who get sick with measles should seek medical attention but give advance notice before going to clinic to prevent potential spread of infection.
Accuracy
The CDC has sent a team to help public health officials respond to the Chicago measles outbreak, with staff arriving on Tuesday.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it difficult to contain in congregate settings like shelters.
Antibody levels may be drawn to assess immunity in adults who are unsure about their vaccination status but it is currently not recommended for pregnant women to receive the MMR vaccine if they are not immune.
The CDC has its own epidemiological intelligence service that goes to places around the country where outbreaks occur and offers both financial support and manpower support.
Contact tracing is backbreaking work, taking a lot of time and manpower but it is important for capturing folks in the window between exposure to symptoms, making sure they quarantine or self-isolate to reduce spread of outbreak.
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that measles was considered eliminated in 2000 because most Americans were vaccinated against the disease or had some level of immunity. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all Americans are immune to measles which is not true. Secondly, the article mentions a new arrivals shelter in Pilsen where seven cases have been confirmed but does not provide any information about how many people were vaccinated or had some level of immunity at the shelter. This makes it difficult to determine if there was an outbreak at the shelter or if these cases are part of a larger outbreak. Thirdly, the article mentions that contact tracing is backbreaking work and takes a lot of time and manpower but does not provide any information about how many people were traced or what measures were taken to prevent further spread of measles.
The article mentions a new arrivals shelter in Pilsen where seven cases have been confirmed but does not provide any information about how many people were vaccinated or had some level of immunity at the shelter, making it difficult to determine if there was an outbreak at the shelter or if these cases are part of a larger outbreak.
The article mentions that contact tracing is backbreaking work and takes a lot of time and manpower but does not provide any information about how many people were traced or what measures were taken to prevent further spread of measles.
The statement 'measles was considered eliminated in 2000 because most Americans were vaccinated against the disease or had some level of immunity' is misleading as it implies that all Americans are immune to measles which is not true.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topic of measles as they are owned by Disney which owns and operates theme parks that have experienced measles outbreaks in the past.
.measles cases in Chicago.
.mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the reasons for measles outbreaks in the US. The author is an infectious disease physician who has a professional affiliation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). However, there are no disclosures of any financial ties or personal relationships that could compromise their objectivity.
The article discusses measles cases in Chicago, which is a topic that falls under the jurisdiction of the Chicago Department of Public Heath.
The article mentions the author's role as an infectious disease physician at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO).
, CDC has been notified of 58 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 17 jurisdictions,
Accuracy
, CDC has been notified of 58 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 17 jurisdictions, including seven outbreaks in seven jurisdictions compared to 58 total cases and four outbreaks reported the entire year in 2023.
The number of measles cases in the US has increased to 45 this year, with at least seven confirmed cases in Chicago.
Measles was considered eliminated in 2000 due to high vaccination rates but pockets of unvaccinated and undervaccinated communities have led to sporadic outbreaks across the country.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that there have been an increase in global and U.S measles cases without providing any context or data to support this claim. Secondly, the article implies that all international travelers are at risk of contracting measles when only those who have not received their MMR vaccine are mentioned as being at risk. Thirdly, the article states that pockets of low coverage leave some communities at higher risk for outbreaks without providing any data or context to support this claim.
The sentence 'There has been an increase in global and U.S measles cases' is deceptive because it implies a significant increase when no data or context is provided to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory. However, there are no references provided to support this claim. Secondly, the article contains a dichotomous depiction of measles cases in 2024 by stating that among the 58 cases reported in 2024, 54 (93%) were linked to international travel. This creates an either/or situation where it implies that all measles cases are related to international travel when this is not necessarily true. Thirdly, there is a use of inflammatory rhetoric by stating that many countries, including travel destinations such as Austria, the Philippines, Romania, and the United Kingdom, are experiencing measles outbreaks. This creates an emotional response in readers without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory.
