Politically Charged Air Travel Ban Becomes Latest Tool In Public Health Officials' War On Measles

Though less restrictive than isolation or quarantine, the public health measure to keep people who are infected with measles off airplanes “is seen as a government using its power over the people and the states, which is kind of toxic in America right now,” said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health policy at Georgetown University. But as cases continue to climb across the country, public health officials are using the options they have to combat the outbreak.

The Washington Post: Officials Fighting U.S. Measles Outbreaks Threaten To Use Rare Air Travel Ban

Health officials in five states have warned people believed to be infected with measles and planning to travel that they could prevent them from getting on planes. All eight individuals agreed to cancel their flights after learning the officials could ask the federal government to place them on a Do Not Board List managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Martin Cetron, director of the agency’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, which tracks disease outbreaks. (Sun, 5/23)

The Associated Press: Indianapolis 500 Officials To Offer Measles Vaccine At Race

Some fans attending Sunday's Indianapolis 500 can get measles vaccines at the track's infield medical center. IndyCar medical director Geoffrey Billows said Thursday a "very limited supply" of vaccines will be available at the medical building near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum. He says most insurance companies will cover the cost. (5/23)

Kansas City Star: Pat Roberts Touts Bill To Combat Anti-Vaccine Misinformation

Sen. Pat Roberts is partnering with two Midwestern Democrats to fight the spread of misinformation about vaccines in the face of measles outbreaks throughout the country. The Kansas Republican introduced legislation Thursday to instruct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award competitive grants for public information campaigns aimed at combating the anti-vaccine movement. (Lowry 5/23)

New Hampshire Union Leader: NH 'Measles' Case Was Likely Reaction To Vaccine, State Health Officials Now Believe

The Keene-area child believed to be infected with measles was probably experiencing a reaction from the measles vaccine, and the public is not at risk of a measles outbreak, state health officials said. Earlier this week, state officials said that the child had visited a church and school in the Keene area and warned that those near the child were at risk of exposure. It was New Hampshire’s only supposed case of measles, and the news piggybacked on outbreaks in New York and California, where health officials blamed parents who did not immunize children against the disease. (Hayward, 5/23)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

Trump 2.0

Public Health

Audio Reports

Special Reports

More Topics