To bring you up to speed on the measles outbreak that's springing across the United States, EmpowHer has created this overview for you. As of right now the outbreak has spread into 15 states, infecting 127 people and there's speculation the measles came to the U.S. from overseas travelers.
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REUTERS:
Measles outbreak hits 127 people in 15 states
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The biggest U.S. outbreak of measles since 1997 has sickened 127 people in 15 states, most of whom were not vaccinated against the highly contagious viral illness, federal health officials said on Wednesday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKN0943743120080710
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FOXNEWS:
"What concerns me is the trend of more and more people not vaccinating their children because of fears that vaccines cause autism — although no studies have proven this to be true," Dr. Joseph Rahimian, an infectious disease specialist at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, told FOXNews.com in May.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,379388,00.html
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ARIZONA DAILY STAR:
Local Measles Outbreak Not Over, But Containment Close:
A coordinated county, state and federal response to a measles outbreak in Southern Arizona succeeded in curtailing what potentially could have been more than 22 cases at most.
Officials in Pima County haven’t officially declared the outbreak over, but containment is at hand.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/247732.php
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PRESS RELEASE CLAIMS OUTBREAK TIED TO OVERSEAS TRAVELERS!
Measles Outbreak Traced to Overseas Travelers
A measles outbreak in the United States has been traced back to travelers who became sick overseas and then transported the contagious virus back and infected others.
There have been at least 120 reported cases connected to the measles outbreak covering 15 states.
Health officials became alarmed in May when more than 70 cases of measles were reported in 12 states and the number has continued to grow as those who never received vaccination and come in contact with the virus become ill.
Considered a highly contagious disease, symptoms of measles include coughing, runny nose, high fever and rash. In the 1960s a push for measles vaccinations practically wiped out the disease in the United States but the growing trend of parents not vaccinating their children has led to a rebirth of the disease.
Measles remains a major problem in third world countries with an estimated 250,000 children dying each year from the virus.
According to the CDC the states reporting cases of measles are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington state, as well as Washington, D.C.