DeKALB – Northern Illinois University’s STEM Cafe will address the rise in measles outbreaks in the U.S. at its next meeting, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fatty’s Pub & Grill, 312 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.
Declared eradicated in 2000, measles has made a comeback in recent years, with 1,100 confirmed cases in the U.S. in the first six months of 2019.
The event will address the questions “What has caused a disease that was once declared eliminated to significantly resurface?” and “Why is an upsurge in measles particularly concerning?”
Community health and prevention director Cindy Graves and communicable disease coordinator Lorna Schmidt, both registered nurses on the public health team at the DeKalb County Health Department, will be presenters at the event.
Graves has 34 years of experience in pediatrics, emergency medicine and public health. Schmidt has 25 years of experience in obstetrics and communicable diseases.
They will discuss why mass vaccination of a population is important and what might result if mass vaccination is not followed.
“It’s important for all of us to learn how mass vaccination helps protect everyone from communicable diseases,” STEM Cafe coordinator Judy Dymond said. “Especially those too young, ill or elderly to receive vaccines themselves. I’m looking forward to finding out more about why and how vaccines work, and what we can do to help keep our communities healthy.”
For information, call Judith Dymond at 815-753-4751 or email jdymond@niu.edu.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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