Measles Outbreak: Faith Tabernacle Congregation's Battle

In 1991, a measles outbreak struck members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation in Philadelphia, infecting about 600 of the 800 students who attended the church's private school. The outbreak was caused by the church's discouragement of modern medicine, including vaccinations, in favour of faith healing. The congregation's belief in the power of prayer alone to cure disease led to the deaths of nine children, five from Faith Tabernacle and one from a church that had branched off. The outbreak also infected more than 1,400 people around the city.

The Faith Tabernacle Congregation discouraged vaccination and medical treatment, instead relying on faith healing

The Faith Tabernacle Congregation actively discouraged vaccination and medical treatment, instead relying on faith healing. The church, along with the First Century Gospel Church, promoted "a reliance on prayer, not medical care, to cure disease". Members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation did not believe in modern medicine and treated any and all illnesses or injuries with prayer alone. This religious group taught that God is solely responsible for health and banned members from seeking any form of medical attention.

The congregation's beliefs led to a measles outbreak in 1990-1991, which resulted in the deaths of nine children and infected more than 1,400 people in Philadelphia. The outbreak was likely caused by a teenager who had recently visited Spain and attended an R.E.M. concert in the city. The teenager's illness spread rapidly, infecting hundreds of congregants and moving quickly throughout Philadelphia.

The church's teachings and discouragement of vaccination contributed to the high infection rate among its members. Ultimately, a court order was obtained to forcibly treat and vaccinate children whose parents refused to seek medical care. This intervention was necessary to protect the health and well-being of the children, even if it went against the religious beliefs of their families.

The outbreak highlighted the dangers of religious groups promoting medical neglect and the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The outbreak infected about 600 of the 800 students who attended a private school run by the Faith Tabernacle Congregation

In 1991, a measles outbreak struck members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a religious group based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The outbreak infected about 600 of the 800 students who attended a private school run by the Faith Tabernacle Congregation.

The Faith Tabernacle Congregation was a fundamentalist church that discouraged the use of modern medicine, including vaccinations. Instead, they relied solely on faith healing and prayer to cure diseases. This religious group taught that God was completely responsible for health and banned its members from seeking any medical attention. As a result, the outbreak among its members was particularly severe, with a high number of cases and deaths.

Dr. Robert Ross, the deputy health commissioner of Philadelphia at the time, played a crucial role in responding to the outbreak. He negotiated with the group to obtain permission to visit the homes of families involved, allowing health officials to observe the children and provide some level of care. Ross recalled the shocking conditions he witnessed during these home visits, including children with deformities and developmental disabilities, reflecting a lack of medical care.

The outbreak at the Faith Tabernacle Congregation school resulted in six deaths, five from Faith Tabernacle and one from a church that had branched off. The high fatality rate was attributed to the lack of medical treatment for complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can arise from measles. Health officials ultimately obtained a court order to forcibly treat and vaccinate children whose parents refused to seek medical care.

The measles outbreak at the Faith Tabernacle Congregation highlights the dangers of refusing medical treatment and vaccinations. It serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of public health interventions and the potential consequences when religious beliefs and modern medicine clash.

Five children died in the outbreak, all from families that belonged to two fundamentalist churches that preached a reliance on prayer, not medical care

In 1991, a measles outbreak struck the members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a faith-healing church in North Philadelphia. The church actively discouraged vaccination and promoted a reliance on prayer, not medical care, to cure disease. As a result, about 600 of the 800 students at the church's private school were infected with measles. Five children died in the outbreak, all from families that belonged to two fundamentalist churches: Faith Tabernacle Congregation and the First Century Gospel Church. Both churches taught that God is completely responsible for health and banned members from seeking any medical attention.

The outbreak began in October 1990, but most of the illnesses and all of the related deaths occurred in 1991. From November 4, 1990, to March 24, 1991, 486 cases and 6 measles-associated deaths were reported from members of the two churches. By June 1991, an additional 938 measles cases and three deaths from outside the churches were reported. All nine deaths were among children.

Health officials expressed grave concern about the outbreak and worked to monitor the conditions of the students to prevent further deaths. They were prepared to seek court orders to force families to accept medical care if the children were in serious condition. Dr. Robert Ross, the city's deputy health commissioner at the time, described the situation as a "nightmare."

The outbreak highlighted the conflict between religious beliefs and modern medicine. While members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation relied solely on prayer, health officials negotiated to gain permission to visit the homes of families involved to observe the children. In one instance, Dr. Ross discovered a 9-year-old girl who was severely ill with pneumonia. He obtained an emergency court order to take her to the hospital, likely saving her life.

The outbreak and its tragic consequences underscored the importance of vaccination and the potential consequences of religious exemptions from medical care.

Health workers went to the homes of all students to monitor their conditions and prevent further deaths

In 1991, health workers went to the homes of all students at a private school run by the Faith Tabernacle Congregation in Philadelphia to monitor their conditions and prevent further deaths. The outbreak had infected about 600 of the 800 students who attended the school. The reason for the outbreak was that members of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation did not believe in modern medicine and treated all illness or injury with prayer alone.

Dr. Robert Ross, then deputy health commissioner of the city, was among the health workers who went to the homes of the students. He recalled the experience as "a theater of the bizarre". In one home, Ross discovered a 9-year-old girl who appeared to be very unwell. She was suffering from pneumonia, and Ross obtained an emergency court order to take her to the hospital.

Health workers faced resistance from the families they visited. In the case of the 9-year-old girl, Ross was scolded by her grandmother, who questioned his faith in God. Despite his intervention, which most likely saved the girl's life, her family treated him coldly when he returned to check on her the next day.

The health workers' efforts were necessary to prevent further deaths. The outbreak had already claimed the lives of six children from Faith Tabernacle and one from a church that had branched off. Overall, the outbreak infected more than 1,400 people in Philadelphia and resulted in nine deaths, all of whom were children.

The outbreak was likely caused by a teenager who had visited Spain and later attended a concert at the Philadelphia Spectrum arena

The 1990–1991 Philadelphia measles outbreak was a medical event that infected over 1,400 people, mostly children, and resulted in nine deaths. The Faith Tabernacle Congregation was one of the two epicentres of the outbreak, with the other being the First Century Gospel Church. Both churches discouraged vaccination and medical treatment, instead relying on faith healing.

The outbreak was likely caused by a teenager who had visited Spain and later attended an R.E.M. concert at the Philadelphia Spectrum arena in April 1989. This individual is believed to have introduced measles to Philadelphia, and the disease soon spread throughout the city.

The Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a faith-healing church, actively discouraged its members from seeking medical care or vaccination. As a result, when the outbreak occurred, its members were particularly vulnerable. About 600 of the 800 students who attended the church's private school were infected with measles.

The outbreak in the Faith Tabernacle Congregation community was severe, with a high death rate among the children. Out of 150 infected children, four died, which translates to a death rate of one in 35. This was higher than the death rate typically found in developing countries. The children succumbed to known complications from untreated measles, such as pneumonia and severe dehydration from vomiting.

The outbreak in Philadelphia, and specifically within the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, highlights the dangers of vaccine hesitancy and the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Frequently asked questions