Measles Outbreak Sickens Scores
By: Web Producer
Updated: May 2, 2008
First Measles Outbreak In Seven Years Sickens Scores In U.S.
(Atlanta, GA) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that the U.S. is experiencing its biggest outbreak of measles since 2001.
The measles outbreak is reported in nine states, with at least 64 people ranging from infants to the elderly becoming ill.
The CDC says the outbreaks are ongoing in Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan and New York.
Nobody has died, but 14 people have been hospitalized.
The CDC says all but one of those who got the viral illness were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Measles transmission has occurred in community and health care settings, including homes, child-care centers, schools, hospitals, emergency rooms and doctors offices.
Health officials say measles outbreaks are a reminder that measles can and still does occur in the U.S.
Ongoing measles virus transmission was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the risk of outbreaks from imported disease remains.
Fifty-four of the 64 people sickened are believed to have received the virus from other counties, including Switzerland, Israel, Belgium, India, Italy and China.
(Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions)
RNS-05-02-08 0309CDT
