The measles epidemic in Europe shows what can happen in the United States as anti-vaccine bites: report



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More than 41,000 cases of measles have appeared in Europe this year, and the trend could spread to the United States if the anti-vaxxer community continues to grow, warn experts. Forty died as a result of the measles epidemic in Europe, an unthinkable disease unthinkable less than ten years ago, NBC News reported Saturday.

Experts say European countries have larger populations of anti-vaxxers, adults who have chosen not to vaccinate their children against major preventable diseases. Anca Paduraru, from the European Commission in Brussels, said this trend should stop. "This is the main factor behind the outbreaks," Paduraru said. "It is unacceptable to have in the 21st century diseases that should have been and could have been eradicated."

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that 95% of the population has a preventable vaccine in two doses in order to prevent widespread epidemics. In some European countries, the number of vaccinated citizens is less than 70%.

The United States has witnessed a considerable number of measles cases in 2018, according to NBC News. On September 8, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported 137 individual cases of measles in the United States. The CDC has recognized some years seeing larger increases in measles due to particular events, such as in 2015 when a measles outbreak was linked to a public event. amusement park. The year 2017 saw 118 cases.

"This partial setback demonstrates that any non-immune person remains vulnerable, regardless of where they live, and each country must continue to lobby for increased coverage and gaps in immunity," Dr Nedret Emiroglu, WHO, in a statement. NBC News.

The number of unvaccinated children is increasing every year in the United States, with parents on both sides of the political spectrum belied by rumors, confirmed by celebrities such as Donald Trump, that vaccines are the cause of autism.

Although many studies have been conducted on the link between autism and immunizations, according to the CDC, no results have been shown to be a link.

In 2001, only 0.3% of unvaccinated children had received the correct doses of 14 preventable diseases. United States today reported. In 2015, the number of unvaccinated children was 1.3%.

The CDC advises parents who do not vaccinate their children to be prepared for epidemic situations. This includes the removal of children from school for an extended period, in case of an outbreak, and the printed list of their child's vaccines, or the lack of vaccines in case of emergency medical. This not only keeps the child safe in a hospitable environment, but also prepares staff to keep others safe from a possible illness.

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