In recent times, there have been huge outbreaks of the measles epidemic in Ukraine and the Philippines. Last year alone, Europe saw over 80,000 cases of measles and to worsen the condition, this is continuing in Washington, New York, California, Illinois, and Texas. In fact, many believe that measles have been eradicated for good and right now, no plans are being made on stamping out the scourge this year. However, it now seems that more measles is in order, for the future than before.
What is Measles?
Measles is an extremely infectious disease that is caused by a type of virus which once affected, begins replicating in the throat and nose of the affected kid or adult. Then, when an infected person talks, sneezes, or coughs, the infected droplets spread through the air, thereby infecting those who inhale them.
Symptoms of Measles
Fever
Running nose
Dry cough
Inflamed eyes
Sore throat
Skin rash
Although once very common, it can be prevented by means of the measles vaccine. In fact, death rates are coming down worldwide, due to the widespread use of the this vaccine, although a whopping 100,000 people die of the disease every year, most of them children.
The Measles Vaccine
The measles vaccine has an MMR component which protects people from rubella and mumps too. This is found to be 97 percent effective in preventing infection. In fact, if all children are given MMR on a global scale, soon measles will be only a bad memory like smallpox. If this is done, the coming generations of kids can be made immune to this dreaded disease. Some people say no to vaccinate their kids because they are convinced that the measles vaccines will cause autism or some other harm in their children. Such people are in fact creating innumerable children who are susceptible to measles.
The Crux of the Problem
There have been concerted efforts from the anti-measles vaccination lobby, to stop children from undergoing the measles vaccination. This is due to a study, now discredited, by a person named Andrew Wakefield. This study concluded that the measles vaccine caused autism in the vaccinated. Apart from this, certain groups were against vaccination due to philosophical or religious beliefs. However such groups constitute only a minority as most Americans remain vaccinated. And experts believe that it is among susceptible children belonging to such groups that regular measles outbreaks can occur. The sad thing is that it does not need to be this way.
Measles in the US
For a decade or so, measles has not been pervasive in the United States, largely due to the high rates of vaccination done in general. In fact, the country averaged around 60 cases a year during the years between 2000 and 2010. However, this increased to 205 per year in recent times. A prime example of this is the present epidemic prevailing in New York among kids in Orthodox Jewish families who refuse to get their kids vaccinated. This has prompted a county near the city of New York to proclaim a state of emergency that bar kids who are not vaccinated for measles, from all public spaces.
