This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY
Distributed via Health Alert Network
June 22, 2011, 16 :00 EST (04:00 PM EST)
CDCHAN-00323-11-06-22-ADV-N
High Number of Reported Measles Cases in the U.S. in
2011—Linked to Outbreaks Abroad
Summary and Background
The United States is experiencing a high number of
reported measles cases in 2011, many of which were acquired
during international travel. From January 1 through June 17
this year, 156 confirmed cases of measles were reported to
CDC. This is the highest reported number since 1996. Most
cases (136) were associated with importations from
measles-endemic countries or countries where large outbreaks
are occurring. The imported cases involved unvaccinated
U.S. residents who recently traveled abroad, unvaccinated
visitors to the United States, and people linked to these
imported cases.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in
2000 due to our high 2-dose measles vaccine coverage, but it
is still endemic or large outbreaks are occurring in
countries in Europe (including France, the United Kingdom,
Spain, and Switzerland), Africa, and Asia (including India).
The increase in measles cases and outbreaks in the United
States this year underscores the ongoing risk of
importations, the need for high measles vaccine coverage,
and the importance of prompt and appropriate public health
response to measles cases and outbreaks.
Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that
is transmitted by contact with an infected person through
coughing and sneezing. After an infected person leaves a
location, the virus remains contagious for up to 2 hours on
surfaces and in the air. Measles can cause severe health
complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.
Health
officials in Indiana were on alert on
Thursday, June 23, after five measles
cases were confirmed in Noble County in
the northeastern part of the state.
With measles, even
one case is
considered an
outbreak," Larkin
(Indiana State
Health Commissioner)
said.
Indiana is the
latest state to find
itself tracking down
measles victims as
the once rare
disease makes its
way back into the
public.
An outbreak in
Northern Utah forced
a power plant to
turn away workers
earlier this week
after a local
resident was
diagnosed. Utah also
had an earlier
measles outbreak
this spring in the
Salt Lake City Area.
The Vermont
Department of Health
issued a measles
alert on Tuesday
after a suspected
case turned up in a
young child in
Washington County
and an alert went
out in April in New
Jersey.
Measles is highly
contagious and can
be transmitted even
though the person
with measles isn't
showing a rash.
Measles can cause
serious
complications,
including
encephalitis,
pneumonia and in
rare cases brain
damage or death.
Unvaccinated
individuals may
avoid contracting
the disease if they
receive the vaccine
within 72 hours of
the last exposure.
Those with
compromised immune
systems, infants
under 12 months old
and pregnant women
can receive immune
globulin within six
days of exposure.
"I cannot stress
enough that the best
protection against
measles is to get
vaccinated," Larkin
said.
The first sign of
measles is usually
fever, runny nose,
cough and red eyes
that appear 7-10
days after exposure.
The rash on the face
and upper back
begins two to four
days later.
The measles virus
kills nearly 200,000
people each year
around the world and
is the leading cause
of death among
children in
developing counties.
The United States
and Canada reduced
the number of
measles case to
nearly zero in
recent decades with
childhood
vaccinations but
that number is
starting to rise
again, according to
the National
Institutes of Health
~Reuters, US
health
For more information:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
protects people's health and safety by preventing and
controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions
by providing credible information on critical health issues;
and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with
local, national and international organizations