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Measles cases in the US reach second highest in 25 years reports CDC

Posted: Tuesday, April 16, 2019. 10:14 am CST.

By BBN Staff: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States has reported that cases of measles are up to the second highest amount in the last 25 years, with some 555 reported cases since the outbreak began in January.

The CDC explains that cases of measles have appeared in 20 different states and the numbers are growing by an average of 20 percent per week. Several states including New York and Washington have declared states of emergency as the outbreak rages on with little success on the part of health authorities to get the situation under control.

The outbreak in the US is only a part of what the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling a global rise in the number of measles cases. The WHO reported Monday that there were more than 110,000 measles cases worldwide in the first three months of 2019, which is an increase of nearly 300% from the same period last year. The organization stressed that the data is provisional and that the actual number of measles cases is probably higher, as estimates are that fewer than 1 out of every 1o cases actually gets reported.

The WHO’s data also says that about 1 out of every 1,000 children who get measles will develop encephalitis or swelling of the brain, according to the CDC. This can lead to convulsions and leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability. Additionally, 1 or 2 out of 1,000 children who get measles will die as a result.

While the rising number of cases is a global phenomenon, the  anti-vaccination movement is suspected to be a major contributor to the outbreak. Parents who do not have their children vaccinated for religious or ethical reasons are said to be putting their children and anyone who interacts with them, at greater risk for infection. Five parents filed a lawsuit with the New York State Court against the city’s health department on Monday, requesting a halt to emergency orders requiring the measles vaccine on the grounds that it goes against their religious beliefs.

According to the CDC, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people who are not vaccinated or immune and are close to the infected person will also become infected. In addition, an infected person can spread measles to others four (4) days before the rash appears and up to four (4) days after the rash appears.

 

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