Measles Cases Rise Causing Concern in the US

The United States Centre For Disease Control And Protection (CDC) has confirmed that in 2013 there has been 175 cases of measles diagnosed in the US, with 20 of them leading to hospitalisations. Although this number may seem small, it is a figure which is close to treble the amount of cases in 2012, something which causes the CDC concern.

Thomas Frieden, the current CDC director, commented that 99% of the cases reported were in people who had not been vaccinated against measles. This is despite the US having strong guidelines and requirements for vaccination against the disease. Although no data on the patients beyond vaccination has been revealed, it is known that a number of communities in America refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated on the grounds of religious beliefs.

Frieden believes that nearly half of the cases of Measles in America during the year are a consequence of people either visiting the US or US citizens visiting other countries, bringing the disease into America. Although someone who has been vaccinated cannot be infected by measles, there exists a short window in which they can carry the virus and unknowingly pass it on to others, who most certainly will be infected should they not have been vaccinated.

The existence of more than a handful of rare cases of measles frustrates American medical professionals, for it is a disease easy to control, prevent and perhaps even eradicate. Prior to the introduction of the vaccination in the 1960s, over 500 people died in America each year as a result of being infected.

If the 2014 figures represent a movement from 2013 similar to how 2013 compared to 2012, America could face 1000 cases next year. The CDC hopes to avoid this, and calls on all Americans – in particular those travelling or expecting guests from overseas – to take getting vaccinated seriously.