U.S. Part of Growing Spread of Global Measles Outbreak

Following large outbreaks of measles in Europe as well as in a growing number of countries around the world, cases are now appearing across the United States. Over the past year, a dramatic increase has been seen in the number of measles cases in such countries as France, Germany, Belgium, Romania, and the UK, and now several American states are reporting an increase in the number of cases as well.

Normally, only about 50 cases of measles occur within the U.S. each year. However, since the beginning of 2011, a total of 98 cases have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The majority of cases reported have been caused by unvaccinated people traveling to countries where large outbreaks exist.

Among states in the U.S. experiencing an increase in the number of measles cases, Florida has reported five cases that were linked to an international helicopter trade show held in Orlando in April, while three additional cases reported in the Gainesville area were traced to a person who had travelled to India. Also in April, Utah reported nine cases that were linked to a traveller infected while in Poland.

In California, although only 13 cases have been confirmed this year, a higher number of cases were reported in April than in March, as well as an increase in cases were noted in March over February. Among the total, four cases required hospitalization.

Minnesota reported a total of 21 cases in February that were traced back to a child from the Minneapolis area who fell ill after returning home from a trip to Kenya, while in New York, an adult traveler from out of the country sought medical attention in early May at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola (Long Island). In addition, five new cases were recently reported in Massachusetts.

Outside the U.S., the spread of measles is affecting many parts of Asia and Africa. In 2010 large outbreaks were reported in Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, Lesotho, Ethiopia, and Angola. More than 2000 cases have also been reported in the Philippines so far this year.

In Europe, an outbreak has spread through 30 countries, with 6,500 people infected thusfar in 2011, but France has been hit the worst with over 5,000 confirmed cases of measles that almost equals the 5,090 cases reported for the entire year of 2010. In addition, the UK has reported a total number of 275 from January to April of this year.

Although measles once claimed the lives of approximately 500 Americans each year, the disease was declared to be virtually eliminated in the year 2000. But those who do not get vaccinated for the disease are resurrecting the threat to the world’s population, as about 90 percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles fall ill. The disease is transmitted through respiratory particles, especially when people sneeze or cough. In addition, the virus can survive for up to two hours on dry surfaces.

Once infected, symptoms will begin to appear in about one two two weeks and include high fever, a cough, runny nose and watery eyes. In the mouth, white spots with a blue center will appear, followed in three to five days by the onset of a rash that begins on the face and works its way down the body. An infected person can be contagious for up to four days before, and four days after onset of the rash.

Measles can affect anyone at any age, but is particularly dangerous in very young children and young adults, and while about one in 15 people suffer complications, as many as three in 1,000 may die of it in developed countries. Complications can include ear infections, deafness, severe diarrhea, pneumonia, corneal ulcerations that can lead to corneal scarring., acute encephalitis, brain damage and death.

There is no cure, or even treatment for measles. The disease simply it has to run its course, although doctors can help to treat complicationsresulting from measles. However, just two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine can protect against the disease and save countless lives.