Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  •  

Infectious Disease Expert Explains Why The Measles Spreads So Quickly

Thursday, January 29, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Charlie Neibergall / AP Photo
 

Charlie Neibergall / AP Photo

The number of measles cases in California is rising. Seventy-nine people in the state are now known to be infected, 52 of them directly linked to Disney theme parks. 

Measles can be transmitted much like the common cold. But you can catch it by breathing the air where an infected person has been as long as two hours ago.

"I would say it’s one of the most contagious diseases known to mankind," says Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious disease at UC Davis.

He says almost all recent outbreaks of measles in California have involved kids whose parents have opted out of the vaccine for personal beliefs.

He says even though more than 90 percent of kindergartners were vaccinated this school year, that's just a statewide average.

"Within communities such as school, you can get very high rates of personal belief exemption, and for measles, you need somewhere between 93 to 94 percent overall immunity to prevent further transmission, you can imagine if you have a school that has 10 percent or 20 percent personal belief exemptions, that really creates the conditions for which you can get continuing transmission," says Blumberg.

People who support personal belief exemptions from vaccinations question the safety of the shots, and say they have the right to make educated, voluntary choices. 

Meanwhile, the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed this week that it has been testing two suspected cases of measles. Results in one case have come back negative.

The Sacramento Bee reports that another potential measles case in Sacramento County is being tested at the state lab. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr. / CDC

    Large Measles Outbreak Traced To Disneyland Is Declared Over

    Friday, April 17, 2015
    (AP) - California health officials have declared an end to the large measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland in December.
  • Charlie Neibergall / AP Photo

    Sacramento Area Resident Tests Negative For Measles

    Friday, January 30, 2015
    Public health officials announced Friday that lab tests have confirmed a Sacramento County man who was treated recently at an urgent care center and hospital in Placer County did not have the measles.
  • Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr. / CDC

    Measles, Flu And Vaccines

    Wednesday, January 28, 2015
    Sacramento County health officials are investigating a possible case of measles in Elk Grove. Doctors say the best line of protection against measles and other diseases is vaccination. Insight speaks with an infectious disease expert from UC Davis.
  • Eduardo Verdugo / AP

    Measles Outbreak That Began At Disneyland Grows To 87 Cases

    Tuesday, January 27, 2015
    (AP) - A measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland has grown to 87 cases.
  • Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr. / CDC

    Possible Measles Case Investigated In Sacramento County

    Monday, January 26, 2015
    The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services is investigating a possible case of measles in Sacramento County.
  • Eduardo Verdugo / AP

    Rate Of Personal Belief Exemptions For Vaccines Declined Last Year

    Monday, January 26, 2015
    California public health data show the number of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children because of a personal belief has gone down this school year.

 measles

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

KEVIN KWONG

A California man’s ‘painful and terrifying’ road to a monkeypox diagnosis

August 6, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

New variants, wastewater data, long COVID: What Sacramento region experts are watching

August 5, 2022

AP Photo/File

Citing a Mental Health Crisis Among Young People, California Lawmakers Target Social Media

August 2, 2022

Most Viewed

A California man’s ‘painful and terrifying’ road to a monkeypox diagnosis

North Sacramento residents push back on affordable housing, say city ‘dumping’ homelessness solutions in neighborhood

California coronavirus updates: Flushed with cash from COVID-19 treatments, Pfizer buys another drug maker

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

A California man’s ‘painful and terrifying’ road to a monkeypox diagnosis

North Sacramento residents push back on affordable housing, say city ‘dumping’ homelessness solutions in neighborhood

California coronavirus updates: Flushed with cash from COVID-19 treatments, Pfizer buys another drug maker

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.