The number of cases on the rise is skyrocketing

TO CLOSE

Epidemics in the United States forced officials to declare emergencies. Why are we starting to see the rise of these epidemics? This goes back to the anti-vax movement.
Just the FAQ, USA TODAY & # 39; HUI

The number of measles cases registered in the United States rose nearly 100 last week as the annual total continued to rise to record levels, federal health officials said Monday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 465 cases have been confirmed in 19 states so far in 2019, making it the second-highest total since the announcement of measles elimination in the United States nearly two decades.

The numbers are up sharply from a week ago, when the total number of cases was 387 in 15 states. There were 372 cases last year; the highest total since 2000 was 667 in 2014.

This wave was fueled in part by the anti-vaccination movement – most people who contract measles have not been vaccinated, the CDC said. Measles is extremely contagious.

"If someone is affected, almost 90% of people close to this person who are not immunized will also be infected," said the CDC.

A sign posted at the Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Washington, warns patients and visitors of a measles outbreak in January. (Photo: Gillian Flaccus, AP)

Most of the cases in the United States this year involve 17 "outbreaks" – defined as three or more localized cases – some in progress in New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, and Michigan, the report said. CDC. The epidemics are linked to travelers who brought measles back to countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, the CDC said.

Three epidemics in the states of New York, New York and New Jersey, respectively, contributed to most cases. The cases mainly concern unvaccinated persons belonging to Jewish Orthodox communities, the CDC said. New York legislators have proposed a bill that would put an end to religious and other non-medical exemptions for vaccination of children of school age.