The U.S. is experiencing the highest numbers of measles in 15 years, according to a recent report by the CDC. During 2001-2008 the median number of cases has been 56 per year. So far, through May 20, 2011 that number has more than doubled. Here is a summary of the latest numbers:
- 118 cases reported (105 lab confirmed), the highest number reported for this period since 1996
- 105 (89%) associated with importation from other countries
- 105 (89%) patients were unvaccinated
- 47 (40%) patients were hospitalized and nine had pneumonia, no one had encephalitis and no one died
- All but one hospitalized patients were unvaccinated
- Patients ranged in age from 3 months to 68 years
- 18 (15%) were aged <12 months
- 24 (20%) were aged 1–4 years
- 23 (19%) were aged 5–19 years
- 53 (45%) were aged ≥20 years
The numbers may seem small to some, however the trend has been increasing in the last few years and that is worrisome. A massive measles outbreak in the late 1980s early 1990s in the US led to over 55,000 cases and more than 100 deaths, underscoring the high risk to those exposed even in this day and age. Vaccination is our best line of defense, as the high incidence in the unvaccinated in this current outbreak clearly shows. That is why we should be particularly worried by the anti-vaccine lobby’s efforts to demonize vaccines. It is quite literally a question of life and death.
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