In 2015, during the Congress of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), scientists announced that they were proud to have eradicated measles of the American continent. They probably rejoiced too quickly. Since the beginning of 2019, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already recorded more than 1,000 cases of measles and health authorities are currently dealing with the largest epidemic in 25 years. The previous “record” was indeed 963 cases in 1994.
The reason: the steady decline in the vaccination rate. Many American parents refuse to vaccinate their child against measlesfor philosophical or religious reasons, or simply because they think vaccines are cause of autism in children. But the vaccine is the only protection against this highly contagious disease.
No decrease in the number of cases expected this summer
The number of cases measles generally declines during the summer months, but experts are concerned that figures for the start of 2019 indicate the disease is on the rise.
“The anti-vaccine movement is no longer a fringe group, it has become mainstream” worries Dr. Peter Hotez, pediatrician and specialist in vaccinology. “If you’re a parent looking for vaccine information on the internet, you’re much more likely to get the wrong information.”.
“If this continues through the summer and fall, the United States risks losing its status as a ‘country that has eliminated measles.’ This loss would be a blow to the country and wipe out the hard work of all sectors public health” added the CDC in a press release.
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