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The United States is currently experiencing one of the worst years of the measles epidemic in recent history.
As of March 28, 2019, there had been 387 individual cases in 15 states. reported Monday, exceeding the total for 2018 – 372.
This is the second highest number of cases in the United States since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
According to the CDC, six outbreaks are currently occurring in Rockland counties in New York City, New York City, New Jersey and Washington State, as well as in Santa Counties. Cruz and Butte California.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas and Washington have all reported cases of measles this year.
The current outbreaks were triggered by travelers who contracted the disease abroad and brought her home where she spread.
"Every year, unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreigners) catch measles while they are in other countries and bring measles to the United States. They can transmit measles to other people who are not protected against measles, which sometimes leads to epidemics, "said the CDC. .
Although measles has not been a major threat in the United States for nearly 20 years, it remains a common disease in parts of Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa.
"Measles was actually eliminated in the United States in 2000 thanks to a highly effective vaccination program. However, it is still common worldwide in other countries. Because overseas travel is common, if the virus has been introduced into our communities, the infection spreads quickly, "Dr. Megan Berman, MD, MD, Healthline, told Healthline. from the University of Texas.
In recent years, travelers have contracted the virus from England, France, Germany, India, the Philippines and Vietnam. .
Currently, Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines are experiencing significant outbreaks of measles, according to the CDC's Travel Health Tips. Italy, Serbia, Japan and Greece – among others – have recently experienced epidemics.
Before going abroad, it is imperative to get vaccinated against measles. The vaccine is 97% effective in preventing transmission.
The CDC recommends that infants aged 6 to 11 months receive one dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR). Children 12 months and older – in addition to teenagers and adults – must take two doses for complete protection.
If you have not received the vaccine, if your immune system is compromised, or if you plan to travel with a baby under six months of age, avoid traveling abroad and stay away from areas where there is a problem. hatching.
Measles is incredibly contagious. Sure who are not immunized against measles will be infected if they are exposed to the virus.
The virus can easily be transmitted in public places without personal contact. In addition, as the measles virus can remain in the air for two hours, the disease can spread long after the infected person has left the area.
In some cases, measles – which causes fever, cough, runny nose and rash – can be difficult to diagnose in the beginning. As the symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after a person's infection, we often do not know who has been exposed to the virus.
"People are contagious about four days before the appearance of the rash. Before that, it looks like a bad cold. When we discover that a person has measles, she has been able to infect many people, "says Dr. Richard Rupp, professor of pediatrics and director of the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Science of the Medical Branch of the University of Texas.
To prevent measles from spreading, the majority of the population – 92 to 95% – must be immunized.
Unfortunately, however, we continue to see low vaccination rates in some parts of the United States. This reluctance to vaccinate has spread the virus like wildfire in these communities, according to health experts.
US health officials are actively investigating and contacting measles cases, says the CDC. By monitoring measles activity, vaccinating and quarantining susceptible people, and issuing exposure warnings as appropriate, health officials are working to control outbreaks.
"I expect this infection to be contained by vaccinating the community and limiting exposure to the virus," Berman said. "If the Ebola virus can be controlled in a developing country, then we can control measles with our resources and the help of the community."
If you do not plan to receive the MMR vaccine, it is essential to avoid public places hosting sensitive people, advises the CDC. This includes schools, shopping centers, early childhood centers and hospitals.
In total, the key to containing measles is to limit public exposure to the virus and to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
The vaccine not only protects us from the virus, but also protects other people – especially infants and immunocompromised people who can not get vaccinated -.
The United States is currently experiencing one of the worst years of the measles epidemic in recent history.
There were 387 cases reported this year, which exceeds the total number for 2018.
For the highly contagious virus to be contained, more people need to be vaccinated and limit their exposure to the disease.
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