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Infectious diseases such as measles were once thought to be under control in rich countries, but the World Health Organization now warns that we could face a global measles epidemic.
Measles cases have risen sharply worldwide, particularly in developed countries.
Many people do not see measles as a big problem. But measles can kill. It can also cause permanent disabilities. So far this year, 10 US states have reported measles cases. Dr. Camille Sabella at Cleveland Clinic Childhood hopes that it will also burst in Ohio.
Very contagious
"Measles is incredibly contagious," he said. "Once it's gone through the community, it's very difficult because it's flying."
The virus is spread by droplets that cough in the air. Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Center for Disease Control warns people to get vaccinated.
"If a person with measles is in a room with 10 other unvaccinated people, nine of them will have measles," she said.
The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for two hours and, according to Messonnier, it is not always clear who has it.
"Someone can transmit measles four days before having the rash," she said. "It means that they can pbad it on before they even know that they are infectious."
Dr. Roberta DeBiasi of the National Children's Medical Center explains that it's even hard for doctors and nurses to know who has measles at an early stage.
"A child suffering from measles prodrome will look like any other child with a cold, runny nose and cough, and not have this rash for four days," said DeBiasi.
The largest shopping centerChildren at highest risk
According to Sabella, measles is particularly dangerous for babies and young children.
"It's very difficult to protect children during a measles outbreak if they have not been vaccinated," he said.
The rash usually begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Measles is accompanied by a high fever, which in itself can be dangerous for children.
Some people have serious complications. Measles can cause pneumonia. It is the most common cause of death from the measles virus in young children. Measles can also infect the brain and cause death or permanent damage.
The best protection against measles is a vaccine. This is what Dr. Katherine O'Brien of the World Health Organization says.
"We have a fantastic vaccine against measles. The vaccine has been around for more than 50 years. Hundreds of millions of children have received this vaccine and are now healthy adults, in large part because they have not died of measles because they have been vaccinated.
The World Health Organization said that there were more cases of measles in 2018 than in 2017, mainly because more and more parents are not vaccinating their children. In rich countries, it is by choice. In poor countries, it is often because there is no choice.
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