1990–1991 Philadelphia measles outbreak

1990–1991 Philadelphia measles outbreak
Disease	Measles
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Date	1990–1991
Confirmed cases	1,400
Deaths	9

The 1990–1991 Philadelphia measles outbreak was a significant public health event that occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the early 1990s. This outbreak was notable for its high number of cases and the involvement of religious communities that refused vaccination, which contributed to the spread of the disease.

Background

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a red, blotchy skin rash. It is caused by the measles virus, which is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. The disease can be prevented by the measles vaccine, which is typically administered in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines (MMR vaccine).

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the United States experienced a resurgence of measles cases, partly due to declining vaccination rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported several outbreaks across the country, with the Philadelphia outbreak being one of the most severe.

The Outbreak

The outbreak in Philadelphia began in late 1990 and continued into 1991. It primarily affected children and was concentrated in two fundamentalist religious communities that opposed vaccination: the Faith Tabernacle Congregation and the First Century Gospel Church. These communities believed in divine healing and rejected medical interventions, including vaccinations.

The outbreak resulted in approximately 1,400 confirmed cases of measles and nine deaths, most of which were children. The high number of cases and fatalities highlighted the risks associated with low vaccination coverage and the importance of herd immunity.

Public Health Response

The outbreak prompted a significant public health response from local and state health departments, as well as the CDC. Efforts were made to contain the outbreak through vaccination campaigns and public education about the importance of immunization.

Health officials faced challenges in addressing the outbreak due to the religious beliefs of the affected communities. Legal actions were taken to enforce vaccination and quarantine measures, leading to debates about religious freedom and public health responsibilities.

Impact and Legacy

The 1990–1991 Philadelphia measles outbreak underscored the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It also highlighted the challenges of addressing vaccine hesitancy and refusal, particularly in communities with strong religious or philosophical objections.

The outbreak led to increased efforts to promote vaccination and improve public health policies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. It also contributed to the ongoing discussion about balancing individual rights with community health needs.

Also see

• Measles outbreaks in the United States
• Vaccine hesitancy
• Public health
• Herd immunity