Vaccination program has all but eliminated measles in NC
In 1>28 over <0,000 cases of measles
were reported in North Carolina. So
far this year (1982) no cases have
been reported ? a good indication
that yet another highly dangerous
communicable disease has fallen to
an effective vaccine and mass im
munization of susceptible groups.
Before measles vaccine became
available in 1963, more than 400,000
cases were reported each year in the
United States, according to a recent
report to the Public Health Service by
an advisory committee on im
munization practices.
Since 1963, with the help of
physicians and public health officials
and a sweeping vaccination program,
reported cases of measles have
dropped by 99 percent.
The report states that the program
to do away with measles in the United
State by the fall of 1982 is proceeding
satifactorily.
Measles (rubeola or red measles) is
often a severe disease, many times
complicated by middle ear infection,
pneumonia or encephalitis (brain
inflammation).
The report noted that in one out of
every 2,000 reported cases of measles,
the victim often ends up with per
manent brain damage and mental
retardation.
Death, due mostly from respiratory
and neurologic causes, occurs in one
out of 3,000 reported cases. The risk is
far greater for infants and adults than
for children and adolescents.
The report warned that live virus
measles vaccine should not be given
to women known to be pregnant
because of possible increased fetal
risk.
The reason given for exercising this
precaution is that it is a live virus
vaccine and the measles disease has
been shown to cause spontaneous
abortion, premature labor and low
birth-weigh infants.
The report advanced the notion,
however, that considering the im
portance of protecting adolescents
and young adults against measles
with its known serious risks, asking
women if they are pregnant and ex
cluding those who are, and explaining
the theoretical risks to others, are
recommended precautions in a
measles immunization program.
The Committee on Immunisation
Practices said measles vaccine is
indicated for persons susceptible to
measles regardless of age, unless it is
withheld for the reasons previously
stated.
Current evidence indicates that for
maximum protection, measles
vaccine should preferably be given
when children are about IS months of
age due to the fact that they may be
exposed to measles in day-care
centers or other places where
children gather.
Children vaccinated with live Virus
vaccine before their first birthday
should be identified and revaccinated.
Other susceptible persons Include
those who received the original dead
virus type vaccine, as well as those
who never were vaccinated or had
measles. ,
A recent news report indicated that
inaccurate immunity records coo
tributed to a rather severe outbreak of
measles in one state in the northeast,
according to the Centers tor Disease
Control in Atlanta.
The outbreak lasted over eight
weeks. But if the Immunization
Prevention Committee is correct in its
projection that measles should be
essentially wiped out by the fall of this
year, about the only evidence of the
disease in the future should be those
cases that come in from other
countries.
(A service of the N.C. Academy of
Family Physicians)
Lighter clothing is a key to comfort
Want to keep cooler this summer
without expending all your money on
air conditioning? Then learn to dress
comfortably, says Judy Mock, ex
tension clothing specialist
The key to comfort, Mock says, is to
wear fewer clothes, fewer layers of
clothes and wearing lightweight, open
weave garments with large neck, arm
and leg openings.
For women, skirts and dresses will
be more comfortable than pants, and
nylon hose should be omitted.
Men should try to omit tee shirts
and wear short-sleeved shirts with
unlined, lightweight jackets.
Sandals and open shoes will help
heat to escape and perspiration to
evaporate. And, the specialist warns,
wear protective headgear when ex- *
posed to sunlight.
Proctor chosen for band tour
Dwayne Proctor, captain of the
drumline in the Perquimans County
High School Marching Band, was
chosen from 55 drummers in a band
camp to participate in a six weeks
tour throughout the United States with
a band from Albany, N.Y.
Proctor is the son of Joe W. Proctor
and Patricia Ward and the grandson
of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Proctor.
Cox Cable TV 'Comparison Shopper' says:
Be-Lo has the Lowest Total Food Prices
of all eight companies shown weekly. Check for yourself and then shop
Be-Lo Market's we give valuable S&H Green Stamps with every purchase.
Mrs. filberts
Mayonnaise . . !V. rl1'
Cheezits " 99*
Aunt Fanny * g m ^
Pecan Twirls X .f. .'lw
Sardines 2
Hot Shot Ant ft Itoack n a ^ ttA
Aerosol cr. tx?
Hot Shot fly ft Mosquito ||u M ^ A A
Aerosol
Just Dandy Lhm m?h m ^ mm
Detergent X ?" *1??
MllaMlflMlIutori ^ VA
Soap rr.
Taylor Sm.M Whole White
Potatoes 4 *lw
Betty Crocker AnSretm .
Potatoes K. 89c
Betty Crocker Q||
Potatoes t. . O?
Applesauce . *.99*
Troplc?i ?W? ?i mi ?> inntmi g A
Juice r.
Lemon-Lime or Orange _ ma
Gatorade /V
Hug Sticks . ..*?99*
Franco American )Su ,
Spaghettios . .2 .T*. . /V
Uncle Ben s .
Rice JS . 79*
Taco Shells . 89^
Ml Kan tnwM ? A ^ aa
Cat Food. . . .3 '1??