Mayville resident Marcia Clark speaks to members of the Chautauqua County Board of Health, expressing her concerns about the possibility of a measles outbreak locally. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County health officials believe it’s only a matter of time before there are cases of measles popping up locally and are encouraging parents in particular to make sure their children are vaccinated.

According to the state Health Department’s website, as of Thursday, there have been three cases of measles statewide, two in New York City and another not far from downstate.

Measles is a highly contagious disease. According to county Public Health Director Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County has about 83% vaccination rate, which is actually higher than the state average of 81%.

Still, local officials warn that measles could still become a problem.

“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ measles is going to hit Chautauqua County. It will,” said Dr. Michael Faulk, chief medical officer for the county.

Faulk has five children and supports the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.

“Measles is one of the most contagious communicable diseases known and it can have significant adverse effects on children and it can kill,” he said.

Faulk said as a physician, he trusts the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has taken a strong stance in supporting childhood immunizations. “As a parent, I wouldn’t think twice about getting my child immunized, getting the MMR vaccine, and I think we should to encourage families who are on the fence (to do the same),” he said to members of the Board of Health, the majority of whom are either practicing or retired physicians.

Faulk encourages any parent who is questioning the safety of the vaccine to talk to a trusted medical professional about the risks and benefits.

He believes that conversation could save a life.

“Working with our coroner program, I do not want to have to show up with a family and tell them that their child has died, or counsel a family whose child has died. I do not want to do that when it’s completely preventable,” Faulk said.

Dr. Robert Berke noted that if a child gets measles and doesn’t die, there are other possible significant complications.

“One in a thousand die, and then a certain percentage also end up with permanent intellectual disability,” he said.

Berke was highly critical of the idea that the MMR vaccine can cause autism.

“That has been disproven,” he said.

Before the meeting began, Marcia Clark of Mayville spoke to the Board of Health and expressed her concerns that not enough children are vaccinated. “In 1991, Chautauqua County experienced a measles outbreak in the under-vaccinated population with 99 confirmed cases. In 1992, Chautauqua County experienced a rubella outbreak, a fairly mild illness that, until the rubella vaccine became available, was the leading cause of birth defects. Since then, the number of under-vaccinated individuals in our county has greatly multiplied, making us ripe for another outbreak,” she said.

Clark particularly expressed concerns with the Amish and homeschooling communities, who are more likely to avoid getting children vaccinated.

“The under-vaccinated groups within our county are not insular, are very mobile and could easily support a widespread measles outbreak. The implementation of multi-pronged campaigns to encourage and promote childhood vaccination are necessary,” she said.

Wilson, the public health director, thanked Clark for her comments.

She noted that Chautauqua County has a good relationship in particular with members of the Amish community. “We have seen quite an increase actually, just in building that rapport and that trusted relationship with Amish mothers choosing to have their children immunized, so we’re actually very proud of that,” Wilson said.