Health

As Measles Spread Across U.S., Dept. of Health Raises Awareness In USVI

Department of Health Commissioner Designee Justa Encarnacion is leading a measles vaccination campaign amid the global outbreak, D.O.H. said Tuesday. The department said there have not been any confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. Virgin Islands, however, to protect the community against the highly contagious virus, D.O.H. is urging residents to know their vaccination status and become immunized as needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of last week, there have been 704 confirmed measles cases across 22 states -- the highest number in 25 years. Of those affected, the majority were unvaccinated adults and children. “School-age children who are exempt from vaccinations for religious or other reasons, are particularly at risk and should be extremely cautious during a time like this,” Ms. Encarnacion said. Data from the 2015 National Immunization Survey indicates that the Virgin Islands’ immunization rates for the MMRvaccine, used to prevent measles, mum...