(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

It’s easy to be a brave, “freedom”-loving opponent of vaccines when it seems as though there is no immediate danger. But a report by WCHS out of Monongalia County reminds us that such a stance is risky and damaging all the time.

West Virginia has for years done better than any other state in creating laws and policy that give some protection to our children, our families, our schools, churches and communities. In fact, before this past weekend, there had not been a measles case in the state since 2009. WCHS reported measles had been declared essentially eradicated in 2000. Our strict school vaccination laws get the credit for West Virginia remaining unaffected by recent measles outbreaks in other parts of the country.

Until now.

“Monongalia County Health Department is diligently working with WVU Medicine to identify all people who came into contact with the (adult) patient within the WVU Medicine system and is actively reaching out to inform those individuals of the exposure,” Dr. Brian H. Huggins, the health department’s incoming health officer, said, according to WCHS. “Additionally, MCHD is in conversation with the patient to identify other places this individual traveled while symptomatic.”

Measles is miserable, and one in every 1,000 cases can come with complications that cause encephalitis and brain damage. WCHS reports three in every 1,000 children infected with measles can die from respiratory and/or neurologic complications.

“We really want to emphasize that this is an illness that people should take very seriously,” Huggins said.

While a single patient in Monongalia County does not (for now) amount to an outbreak, the case is a reminder that lawmakers must remain strong against those who would weaken our protection against measles and worse. Other attention-seekers will no doubt try again next time around. They must never succeed.