Measles outbreak spreads to Colorado

An outbreak of the measles has spread to 15 states, including Colorado.

According to the Center for Disease Control, there have been 387 cases of the measles since the start of 2019. This is more than all the cases reported for all of last year.

"We know that measles is very easily spread. Up to 90 percent of people who are not immunized against it, or otherwise immune, who are exposed will get it," said Andy Tyler, Regional Epidemiologist.

This is the second largest outbreak in the United States since the illness was declared eliminated back in 2000.

"Those who are most vulnerable to complications due to the measles are those who are under the age of five and those who are older than 20. So that's a fair amount of our population," said Tyler.

Health experts say it's important to get vaccinated.

"Some people can't get vaccinated. The measles vaccine is not recommended for people younger than 12 months of age or people who are otherwise immune compromised like people going through cancer treatment, or for other reasons can't get these vaccines. So it really is important that everyone else does, to help protect those people who are unable to get a vaccine," said Tyler.

Dr. Megan Stiner, over at Western Colorado Pediatrics, says that some people are hesitant to get the vaccine because of a debunked study linking the measles vaccine to autism. However, she says it's safe.