Measles, also known as rubeola or “first disease”, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by paramyxovirus, causing a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis followed by eruption of maculopapular rash. The CDC states 2 main reasons for the increase in measles cases: an increase in the number of travelers bringing the virus into the US from other countries and/ or spread in US communities due to unvaccinated people. In 2018 there were 17 outbreaks reported, most of them occurring in the east coast of the US, mostly occurring in unvaccinated communities and associated with travelers from Israel. The CDC estimate a record number of approximately eighty-two people importing the measles virus to the US. During the months of January and February 2019, outbreaks of measles have been reported in 11 states. Preventive hygiene measures and on schedule vaccination (2-dose series) is recommended to decrease incidence and outbreaks. For more information about MMR vaccination.
Read the Full CDC Report Here.
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