Measles Outbreak in the United States
CBS Evening News shares their story on the outbreak of the measles, which started in the Disney Land theme park in Orange County, California. “When you’re in a pocket with low vaccination rates, that’s when you find yourself at greater risk of getting measles,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy in an interview with CBS news. Nevertheless, the Measles continues its reign of terror on the United States.
February 13, 2015
The Measles have spread in 14 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, Nebraska, Texas, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, Utah, and Texas. The current outbreak originated in Orange County, California, home of the famed Disney Land amusement park.
The CDC released a report of 102 cases and one outbreak. The majority of the patients who contracted the disease are those known as “anti-vaxxers.” Anti-vaxxers believe that giving the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) Vaccine to their children, as well as themselves, is “unhealthy,” and most anti-vaxxers believe that the MMR vaccine puts their child at a higher risk for Autism. However, studies from the CDC have shown that 90 percent of patients who have contracted the virus were not properly vaccinated. The virus is especially dangerous towards unvaccinated infants.
Just recently, five toddlers in a Chicago area daycare were infected with measles. Most children under 12 months of age are at an increased risk of contracting the virus because they are ineligible for their first dose of the MMR vaccine.
“You should get your kids vaccinated,” said President Barrack Obama in an interview on the Today Show. President Obama also said that there is every reason to get vaccinated, and it is best for everybody. The CDC has also advised parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, if not already.
