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 The CDC on Monday is due to release updated figures on the number of
cases recorded so far this year.
The following are key facts about the outbreak:
* Public health officials blame the measles resurgence on the spread
of misinformation about vaccines. A vocal fringe of parents opposes
vaccines, believing, contrary to scientific studies, that
ingredients in them can cause autism.
* The largest outbreaks are concentrated in New York City, which has
recorded 466 cases, primarily in the Orthodox Jewish community in
the Williamsburg neighborhood, and Rockland County north of New York
City, which has recorded 224 cases. Those figures include infections
from last year and are not directly comparable to the CDC numbers.
* Other outbreaks are ongoing in California, Michigan, New Jersey,
Georgia and Maryland.
* The disease is highly contagious and can be fatal, killing one or
two of every 1,000 children who contract it, according to the CDC.
It can also cause permanent hearing loss or intellectual
disabilities. It poses the greatest risk to unvaccinated young
children.
* The United States' 2000 declaration that measles was eradicated
meant that the disease was no longer present in the country
year-round. Measles remains common in some countries in Europe, Asia
and Africa, and unvaccinated travelers to those countries can bring
it back to the United States. The current outbreaks are believed to
trace back to visits to Israel and Ukraine.
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* New York City officials said 22,833 people have received the
measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in affected areas since the
outbreak began in October. The city has begun fining unvaccinated
adults.
* Lawmakers in Oregon, New Jersey, New York, Iowa, Vermont and
Minnesota are considering bills to eliminate non-medical exemptions
that allow unvaccinated children to attend public schools. Only
three states currently bar all non-medical exemptions: California,
Mississippi and West Virginia.
* To achieve herd immunity that protects those unable to get the
measles vaccine, such as infants and people with compromised immune
systems, 90% to 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated.
Sources: U.S. CDC, World Health Organization, public health offices
in New York State and City, California and Michigan, National
Conference of State Legislatures
(Reporting by Scott Malone; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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