In the year 2000, officials from the United States Healthcare System declared that it had already eliminated measles from the country through a vaccination program. However, they are now saying that the number of measles cases that are currently active across different states is at an all time high because they believe that people who are getting the disease overseas are bringing it back into the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are not vaccinated against the disease such as foreign visitors and local residents who travel to places like Europe, Asia, and Africa are the main reasons why there is a growing number of measles cases across the country this year. Based on the latest reports, there are now 288 confirmed cases of measles in 18 states, the highest rate recorded since 1994. Currently, 97% of the cases have been imported from foreign countries. According to Dr. Anne Schuchat from the National Center for Communication and Respiratory Diseases, measles is "landing in places in the US where groups of unimmunized people live. That setting gives the measles virus a welcome wagon by providing a chance for outbreaks to occur. The larger the outbreak, the more difficult it is to stop."
Dr. Schuchat added further that, "measles is coming in on airplanes from places where the disease still circulates or where large outbreaks are occurring." This viral respiratory disease that affects the throat and lungs is highly contagious and can be spread through aerial contamination by sneezing, coughing, or breathing. Some symptoms include the development of fever, cold like symptoms, and rashes across the body.
To date, there have been a total of 15 outbreaks across the country where three or more cases have been reported in one place, including six counties in California and New York City. 43 people have reportedly required hospitalization, but no deaths related to the disease have been reported.