Nearly a dozen measles cases have popped up in the United States in PA, VA and GA in the past weeks. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has confirmed at least 9 cases over the past month.
Measles is currently the most infectious disease known. Measles spread through cough, sneeze, runny nose; the illness spreads as red lesions across the trunk of the body. Measles could also pose serious health risks to young children or children with compromised immunity.
Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000. However, small outbursts still occur in the States because measles was not eliminated worldwide. Experts suspect that unvaccinated individuals in the States are contracting measles while traveling abroad.
In addition, vaccination rate in grade school children (92% vaccinated compared to federal limits 95%) remains low. CDC reported that the majority of the measles cases were among age eligible children and adolescents who had not been vaccinated.
Typically, measles treatment involve hospitalization, however, severe measles could also be treated with vitamin A to support the immune system.
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