(Measles on a Child. Photo Credit: Daily Mail)
Measles cases across the United States have reached their highest level in more than 30 years, prompting several states to declare outbreaks and raising alarm over vaccination rates.
Maryland confirmed 14 new measles cases this week, bringing the state’s total to 31 for the year.
Most concerningly, 27 of those cases involved unvaccinated people, with most diagnosed in just the last six weeks.
Cases have been identified in St. Mary’s, Carroll, Cecil and Charles counties, with St. Mary’s hit hardest at 13 cases.
The state health department said measles spreads easily and urged residents to check their vaccination status, noting that vaccinated people face minimal risk.
Iowa is dealing with a larger outbreak.
The state now has 17 confirmed cases tied to exposures at nine different locations across the state, including grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants in Clive, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Ottumwa and Bloomfield.
Thousands of people may have been exposed at these sites.
Pennsylvania has seen even greater tragedy.
The state reported two measles deaths this week, both in unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County near Philadelphia.
These are Pennsylvania’s first measles deaths in 35 years.
The state has recorded 393 cases across 28 counties so far.
Nationwide, the CDC has confirmed 2,777 cases as of August 20.
That’s the most since 1991. Last year there were 2,289 cases and three deaths.
The overwhelming majority of people getting sick have not been vaccinated.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine cut the risk of infection by 97 percent. For unvaccinated people exposed to the virus, nine out of ten will get sick.
Measles starts with cough and fever, followed by a distinctive rash that spreads across the body.
While some cases are mild, the virus can trigger pneumonia, brain swelling and severe immune system damage in children.
It spreads through the air and is extremely contagious, particularly in enclosed spaces like airports and planes.
Nationally, 92.4 percent of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated, below the 95 percent rate needed for community protection.
Exemptions from vaccines have been rising, now at 4.2 percent, up from 1.6 percent a decade ago.
Health officials stressed that the MMR vaccine is safe and the most effective protection available against measles.
