[ad_1]
Copyright of the image
Science Photo Library
Bank of images of a child with measles
The number of US patients with measles has reached a record level and could cause the nation to lose its "measles elimination status," US health officials said.
Sixty new cases were reported last week, bringing to 971 the total number of cases recorded this year in 26 US states – the highest number since 1994.
The disease was declared effectively eliminated from the United States in 2000.
Recent epidemics have been attributed to foreign travelers who have spread it to those who do not get vaccinated in the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday in a statement: "If these outbreaks continue during the summer and fall, the United States may lose its status. 39, elimination of measles.
"This loss would be a blow to the country and erase the hard work of all levels of public health.
"The goal of measles elimination, announced for the first time in 1963 and realized in 2000, was a monumental task."
Multimedia playback is not supported on your device
The statement added that before, between three and four million Americans were diagnosed each year with this sometimes fatal disease, resulting in about 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations.
Earlier this year, Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told lawmakers that more needed to be done to prevent the spread of the disease.
"I find it ironic that one of the most contagious viruses we know is juxtaposed with one of the most effective vaccines available," he said.
"Still, we do not and have not done what could be done, namely to eliminate, eradicate the virus."
This year's balance sheet of 971 means that the United States has already broken the 1994 record – 963 infections – only the first five months of 2019.
But this is still not as serious as in 1992, when about 2,200 measles cases were reported.
Source link
