Health Briefs notes with some concern the uptick in new
cases of Measles, a disease that was reportedly wiped from the United States in
2000. There have now been 288 cases of
measles documented since the beginning of the year, which has public health
officials deeply worried. The record was
set in 1994 when 963 people contracted the disease during that year. So far, there are no deaths resulting in this
rising trend, but doctors are advising immunization for those who are concerned
about contracting the illness. The rise
in cases is thought to be a result of clusters of people whose religious
beliefs do now allow for vaccinations.
Polio is also been noticed among these populations where medical treatment
is prohibited in favor of prayer.
Health Briefs advises that measles is not a harmless, childhood malady.
The Health Briefs TV show advises that the measles virus
can be deadly. One in 500 cases of the
disease is fatal and the danger of pregnant women suffering a miscarriage from
it is significant. Highly contagious,
measles can spread and form a localized epidemic among those who have not been
immunized against it. The disease is
usually brought into the US by travelers, especially those who spend time in
underdeveloped nations where there are no vaccination programs. If the traveler returns to a community which
has also not been proactive about immunization, the disease can spread,
unchallenged. The best protection is
said to be a complete program of vaccines along with periodic booster shots.
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