As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to evolve with ongoing media coverage, many people are experiencing anxiety due to the uncertainty about how this will impact them. They are worried about the impact to their communities, how they can protect themselves and their families, and how to be prepared if the situation disrupts the normal course of daily life.

It is normal to feel anxious, unsettled, distracted, scared and/or overwhelmed by COVID-19 and the uncertainty surrounding its impact to communities. Some people may be more vulnerable due to pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder.

Feeling stressed can affect the immune system and increase the risk of getting ill in general. That is why it is important to take steps to manage anxiety and reactions to this evolving situation. The following suggestions can help people manage anxiety and stress for themselves and their families:

1. Seek health information from trusted resources like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), The World Health Organization and state health department websites.
2. Plan ahead to feel more in control. Make contingency plans for work, childcare or travel if it becomes necessary.
3. Wash hands often, get plenty of rest, exercise, eat well, don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption.
4. Put things into perspective:
   1. Of the 80,000 confirmed coronavirus cases reported in China, “more than 70% have recovered and been discharged,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in a news conference on Monday.¹
   2. Per the CDC, only certain groups, such as older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.²
   3. Public health officials are working to mitigate the virus’ spread.
5. Limit exposure to media. Media outlets have a tendency to sensationalize stories, so it’s important to consume news thoughtfully and with a critical eye.

Magellan Healthcare has resources to help people during crises and difficult times. Our Crisis Communications website provides topical information and connects people with U.S. resources, and our Mind Your Mental Health site addresses many topics related to emotional well-being.

1: https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-09-20-intl-hnk/index.html, “More than 70% of coronavirus cases in China have recovered, WHO says,” posted 3/9/20, 7:25 p.m. EDT, Jacqueline Howard, accessed from site 3/10/20, 12:57 p.m. EDT.

2: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html#who-is-higher-risk, accessed 3/10/20, 12:34 p.m. EDT.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For questions regarding any medical condition or if you need medical advice, please contact your healthcare provider.

On January 31, 2020, the United States (US) issued a public health emergency for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a new virus first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. This comes on the heels of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency. The disease now called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is a new type of coronavirus without a vaccine or medications to prevent or treat it, has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases and hundreds of deaths in China. This human respiratory illness is moving quickly with cases reported in a number of other countries and continents. In the US, while the number of confirmed cases are currently low, safety measures are being enacted to keep the risk of transmission low. As ongoing investigations seek to learn more about this infection, US public health agencies have dedicated coronavirus sites. They actively update these sites as new information becomes available and communicate up-to-date guidance. 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/counterterrorism-and-emerging-threats/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
• World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Disclaimer: The content in this blog article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For questions regarding any medical condition or if you need medical advice, please contact your healthcare provider.

Nearly 2 decades after measles was declared “eliminated” in the United States (US), we find ourselves in the midst of an unprecedented measles outbreak in the modern era of vaccination. As of July 25, 2019, a total of 1,164 active cases of measles have been confirmed in 30 states. As one of the most contagious human diseases, measles can lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. Given its highly contagious nature, the measles resurgence has public health officials on high alert.

Once relegated to the history archives thanks to a widely effective immunization program, measles is an acute respiratory illness spread through coughing or sneezing. The virus can linger for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks after a person becomes infected. High fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes are followed after a few days by the hallmark red rash. Patients are considered contagious from 4 days before and after the rash appears. It is so contagious that following exposure, about 90% of unprotected individuals will develop measles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the measles outbreak has proliferated due to factors including international travel and unvaccinated individuals. Unfortunately, measles is common in many parts of the world, and Europe is experiencing an ongoing spike, which is contributing to the measles surge in the US. In late April 2019, the CDC reported that, of the 44 “imported measles” cases that came into the US this year, 34 cases were in primarily unvaccinated US residents traveling abroad. The majority of imported measles cases in the US have been from popular travel spots such as the Philippines, Ukraine, Israel, Thailand, Vietnam, and Germany. In June 2019, the CDC issued a Level 1 Global Measles Outbreak Notice, alerting US travelers to the current situation and reminding them to check their immunizations before traveling internationally. Regardless of destination, the CDC recommends visiting their “destinations” site to view valuable traveler’s health updates to safely plan for travel.

Insufficient measles vaccination coverage, the other culprit in this outbreak, has also been fueling US circulation of the disease. The majority of measles cases in the US have been among unvaccinated individuals. CDC statistics show that there are pockets of unvaccinated close-knit communities in certain US jurisdictions, such as in parts of New York, experiencing an outbreak. Measles spreads quickly through these populations, making it difficult to limit transmission. Personal and religious beliefs, complacency, and unproven risks thought to be associated with vaccines, are among the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy and avoidance, leading to undervaccination in vulnerable communities. Moreover, unfounded concerns regarding vaccines and autism, which have been refuted by scientific evidence, have also led to skepticism in select groups.

In the pre-vaccine era, an estimated 3 to 4 million people in the US contracted measles each year, resulting in significant deaths and hospitalizations. In modern times, a vaccine is the strongest weapon to combat measles. For best protection, 2 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are recommended and are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles; 1 dose is roughly 93% effective. The MMR vaccine is part of routine childhood immunizations. Measles vaccine recommendations for all age groups, as well as for international travelers, are available on the CDC website.

The CDC deems a disease “eliminated” after 12 continuous months of no active transmissions. If the current outbreak, which started in New York in October 2018, is not contained by October 2019, the US risks losing its measles elimination status. Whether traveling abroad or enjoying a summer staycation, individuals and communities should guard against the measles virus. The best protection against the “21^st century measles outbreak” is immunization. Armed with awareness, education, and appropriate vaccinations, this preventable disease can once again be banished to the history books.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For questions regarding any medical condition or if you are in need of medical advice, please contact your healthcare provider.

Mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus have been identified in Florida, so it’s critical that individuals living in the affected region and across the country know where to go to access information about prevention, detection and treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has put together a website with resources about Zika, including those specific to certain groups of people, including pregnant women, parents, travelers and employers and workers. 

The impact of Zika in the United States is more than just physical. Many individuals, particularly those who live in a region where Zika has been found, may be experiencing anxiety or stress simply as a result of hearing about the disease from newspapers, television and on social media. SAMHSA has put together a tip sheet to help people cope with these feelings.

In their tip sheet, SAMHSA makes two important points:

• Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the outbreak, particularly if you have loved ones in places where people have become sick. But make sure to take time away from the news to focus on things in your life that are going well and that you can control.
• Find people and resources you can depend on for accurate health information. Learn about the outbreak and how you can protect yourself against illness if you are at risk. You may turn to your family doctor, a state or local health department, U.S. government agencies, or an international organization. Check out the sidebar on the next page for links to good sources of information about infectious disease outbreaks.

With 24/7 news cycles and the prevalence on social media and online news sites, it’s critical to set boundaries around how often and where you get your news. SAMHSA or other government websites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offer an updated overview of the current situation.

If you feel you need additional assistance, please call SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 to access additional services in both English and Spanish.