#Measles

A growing body of research reveals that vaccines may deliver far more than protection against specific infectious diseases; they can also trigger broader immune system responses that benefit general health and survival, especially among children. These “non-specific effects”—sometimes called “bonus shots”—recently made headlines in a detailed feature on Salon.com, which highlighted a wave of new scientific findings and renewed international debate. For Thailand, where high childhood immunisation rates have underpinned rising life expectancies for decades, these revelations add new urgency and context to national vaccine policy.

A sweeping new international study has found that emergency vaccination programmes launched to counter outbreaks of Ebola, measles, cholera, yellow fever, and meningitis have slashed global deaths and infections from these deadly diseases by nearly 60% over the last 23 years. Researchers say the impact does not stop with lives saved—swift vaccine deployment has yielded economic savings estimated at billions of dollars, marking vaccines as not only a public health triumph but also a cost-effective shield against disruptive epidemics (BBC News).

A renewed surge in measles cases worldwide has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a heightened health advisory, urging travelers to ensure measles vaccination before international travel. The advisory, published at the end of May, underscores an “ongoing risk” that leaves individuals vulnerable to infection in airports, train stations, on public transport such as airplanes and trains, and at crowded tourist attractions, highlighting a wake-up call for travelers everywhere, including those from Thailand.

In a sobering assessment this week, a leading US infectious disease expert declared that the world may have moved into a “post-herd immunity” era for measles, as vaccination gaps spark resurgent outbreaks across multiple countries. The statement comes as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year alone—a harbinger that the protective barrier of community immunity is crumbling (The Guardian, MSN).

The alarming drop in childhood vaccination rates is raising fresh fears of infectious disease resurgence in Thailand and around the world. According to recent research highlighted by international health experts, the downward trend in routine immunizations is leaving populations increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks of preventable illnesses such as measles and polio, marking a pivotal moment for public health systems globally, including Thailand (WIRED).

This issue is especially crucial for Thai families and policymakers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted health services and shifted public attention away from routine childhood immunizations. Historically, Thailand has celebrated strong immunization coverage, credited with eradicating diseases such as polio within its borders and sharply reducing cases of measles and diphtheria. However, the latest developments suggest these hard-won gains may now be at risk should the pattern mirror the global decline.

Three more US states—Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri—confirmed their first measles cases of 2025 over the weekend, pushing the current outbreak to over half of all US states and marking one of the most significant resurgences in recent years. According to a report by UPI, the total number of confirmed cases across at least 27 states has climbed to 800, with the vast majority being either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. This growing crisis reflects deeper global trends in vaccine coverage and highlights crucial public health lessons for Thailand, where measles cases have also risen sharply over the last two years (UPI, CDC).

A recent case in the United States is raising alarm among health experts worldwide—including here in Thailand—after a controversial physician contracted measles yet continued to practice medicine, treating children who were never vaccinated against the highly infectious disease. The case, originally reported by Ars Technica, underscored the troubling intersection of vaccine hesitancy and public health, as well as the ongoing risks posed by declining immunization rates among children.

The incident involved an American doctor known for her opposition to vaccine mandates, who was diagnosed with measles after caring for unvaccinated pediatric patients during a local outbreak. Despite clear recommendations from health authorities that infected individuals remain isolated to avoid further transmission, the doctor allegedly kept treating her young patients—many of whom were especially vulnerable to the virus due to their unvaccinated status (source).

Recent headlines have focused public attention on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, after he made sweeping statements about measles, autism, vaccines, and the impact of diet on health—claims that have sparked controversy internationally and resonate even among Thai readers navigating similar public health debates. As widespread measles outbreaks and concerns over rising autism rates draw renewed focus on medical facts and myths, a thorough examination of the latest research provides crucial context for Thai families, educators, and policymakers.

The US state of Virginia has reported its first confirmed measles case for 2025, raising fresh concerns about the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Health officials at the Virginia Department of Health announced the case on 19 April 2025, emphasizing the critical need to maintain high immunization rates. This news is not only significant for Americans, but offers urgent lessons for Thai families and healthcare providers in an era marked by global travel, vaccine hesitancy, and infectious disease risks.

A small American town’s resistance to childhood vaccinations has turned into an international public health warning, as a measles outbreak sweeps through the community, resulting in the deaths of at least two children and serious illness for many more Mirror, Apr 15, 2025. The outbreak inundated local hospitals, rekindled global debates about vaccine misinformation, and now stands as a sobering lesson for countries like Thailand, where vaccine confidence is increasingly challenged by online conspiracy theories and social media rumors.

The threat of measles is looming larger than ever with rising unvaccination rates posing significant public health risks worldwide. An enlightening report by The New York Times describes the grim reality of measles infection, specifically targeting unvaccinated children. Given the highly infectious nature of this virus, the findings are particularly poignant for Thailand, where vaccination campaigns have been critical in the past.

Measles, known as one of the most infectious viruses globally, requires no direct contact to spread. A simple stroll through a room where an infected individual was present could lead to transmission through inhaled droplets. The report highlighted that 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will contract it. For Thailand, where public spaces such as markets and schools are pivotal in daily life, understanding this transmission dynamic is crucial in preventing outbreaks.

A recent investigative piece highlights a concerning phenomenon associated with measles infections: immune amnesia. This condition severely impairs the body’s immune memory, potentially making those who have recovered from measles more vulnerable to other infections for years to follow. This critical finding questions the myths surrounding measles immunity, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

The implications of immune amnesia, particularly highlighted in the current measles outbreak starting from Texas and spreading across 19 states, underscore the virus’s true danger. Contrary to myths, contracting measles does not enhance immune strength; instead, it compromises it significantly. The measles virus eradicates immune cells that remember past infections, thereby diminishing the body’s ability to fend off diseases it had previously overcome. This viral strategy replaces the immunity against other pathogens with a temporary defense against measles, ultimately requiring re-encounters with past pathogens to rebuild immune memory.

In a concerning development from West Texas, Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock has reported treating fewer than 10 pediatric patients for vitamin A toxicity, amidst a misinformation wave regarding vitamin A’s role in treating measles. This surge in cases is attributed to a misunderstanding promoted recently in media, particularly by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggesting that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality rates.

The children affected, initially hospitalized due to measles complications, now face the added complication of vitamin A toxicity, which can cause abnormal liver function and disrupt overall health, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has emphasized that while vitamin A may be administered as part of supportive care in severe measles cases, it is not a replacement for vaccination. This message, echoed by Dr. Philip Huang of Dallas County Health and Human Services, underlines the critical importance of the measles vaccine as the primary preventive measure.

The recent measles outbreak affecting West Texas and New Mexico has taken an unexpected turn with several patients suffering from vitamin A toxicity, raising alarm over health misinformation. At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock—close to the outbreak’s center—some of the unvaccinated children hospitalized for measles exhibited signs of abnormal liver function, a likely indication of excessive vitamin A intake, explained Dr. Lara Johnson, pediatric hospitalist and chief medical officer for Covenant Health-Lubbock Service Area source.