(NewsNation) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, urged people to consider getting vaccinated as measles cases have been reported in 10 states, with the outbreak now spreading to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“All parents should consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy said in an op-ed at Fox Digital.
The New Jersey Department of Health issued an alert Friday confirming its third case of measles in the state. An unvaccinated person from Bergen County contracted measles after returning from a trip overseas and spread it to two other people.
Two measles cases have been confirmed in New York City, and one case has been confirmed in the state of Pennsylvania.
Last week, Texas health officials announced an infected child had died, becoming the first registered measles death in the U.S. in a decade. The outbreak in the state has infected more than 140 people.
Measles cases have also been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico and Rhode Island.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 164 measles cases across the country.
Measles is an extremely contagious airborne disease. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and can cause severe illness and even death.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body. Anyone not vaccinated against measles is at risk. Young children and pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe complications.
The best way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated against it. The MMR vaccine is most effective at two doses and provides lifelong protection.
