New York suffers largest measles outbreak in decades

According to doctors, cases of measles in New York have reached an 20-year high in several districts of the state.

Фото: Depositphotos

At least 160 people were infected with a virus that usually affects children in New York, in addition, unusual outbreaks of measles were also reported internationally, writes Daily Mail.

To date, the most affected areas of the epidemic are Rockland County, where 105 cases were reported, and at least 55 people were infected in Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, 25 in other states reported measles outbreaks, especially high rates in Oregon and Washington.

Measles can only be prevented by vaccination; health workers in the most affected areas are trying to speed up the vaccination schedule.

Among other countries, Israel has suffered from a measles outbreak. In October, a sudden increase in the number of cases in New York was associated with an unvaccinated traveler from Israel.

Although the details of the outbreaks in Oregon and Washington were not made public, the epidemic in Washington began because of an unvaccinated child who came to the state from another country.

The measles vaccine was introduced in the US in the 1963 year, and since then the virus poses the least threat to residents of the country. But among those who have not been vaccinated against this disease, measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and can be life threatening.

Measles often begins with fever, sore throat, runny nose and cough, but there are some clear signs of infection. In particular, the patient has a rash in the form of large red spots, first on the face, and then can cover the whole body. As the infection gets worse, complications can include diarrhea, pulmonary infections, and swelling of the brain.

One of the 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, which makes it very dangerous for babies. Fortunately, the vast majority of children in the United States and developed countries are protected from the virus with mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR).

Children are expected to receive the shot in two doses. The first dose should be given between the first 12 and 15 months of life, and the second dose should be given between ages 4 and 6 years, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

According to CDC estimates, as of May 2017, about 91% of children under three years of age received at least their first dose of MMR vaccination.

In recent years, however, there has been an increase in the movement of US residents against vaccines, which many consider dangerous.

Some representatives of both the Amish and Orthodox Jewish faiths believe that their religions prohibit them from vaccinating their children.

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