Measles makes a comeback nationally; Michigan health officials urge vaccination
Measles outbreaks are globetrotting and the Michigan Department of Community Health is reminding the state’s residents to vaccinate against the highly contagious disease.
One hundred fifty cases across the U.S. so far this year is already triple the typical amount seen in one year in the country, according to the MDCH. In Michigan, the measles sickened an Oakland County resident in March. Twenty other states have seen cases of the measles in 2011. In some cases, outbreaks have occurred, the release states.
According to the MDCH, measles cases are being brought to the U.S. via international travelers from several European countries, as well as parts of Africa and Asia, where outbreaks are occurring. Cases are expected to rise with the summer travel season.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, eye inflammation, a runny nose and a cough followed by an extensive rash, the MDCH release states. Symptoms take two weeks to develop, but the sickened individual can spread measles four days before to four days after the rash appears.
Measles can lead to pneumonia, and in rare cases, encephalitis, the MDCH says.
It's preventable via vaccination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is the most deadly of all rash and fever illnesses that occur during childhood.
Children, and in some cases, adults, should be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children typically receive the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second before the start of kindergarten.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter.
Comments
mhirzel
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
Ricebrnr - Parrot on.....
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
Says the person citing a 3 year old interview.
Technojunkie
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
So far it looks like the risks are highest with people who are poor heavy metal excretors who are already mercury toxic and thus have compromised immune systems when given vaccines. Giving vaccines in the first few years of life, when the brain and immune system are under rapid development and the blood brain barrier is still forming, dramatically ups the risks. Waiting a few years, spreading out the vaccine schedule and testing for heavy metals first via a relatively inexpensive hair test should dramatically reduce autism cases. It would be a good start, but only a start. But the politicized medical industry keeps assuring us that people who trust their lying eyes over the word of glorified bureaucrats are "wakadoodles" so many parents can't figure out what's truth, give up and reject vaccines entirely. If you have the time, this audio interview about mercury also talks about the vaccine-autism link. <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thecandystore/2010/03/15/special-guest-andrew-hall-cutler-phd-pe" rel='nofollow'>http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thecandystore/2010/03/15/special-guest-andrew-hall-cutler-phd-pe</a>
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.
Sigh. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/index.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/index.html</a> It hasn't been in childhood vaccines for a decade
mhirzel
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Ricebrnr, Let me introduce you to "Wakadoodle" Bernadine Healy, M.D., former director of the National Institutes of Health: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4088138n" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4088138n</a>
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.
Oh lord. Does it matter that the "Dr" that started this mess has been completely discredited several times over now? That the CDC has also weighed in with no link found? Does it matter that now we'll still have autism but on top of that more measles etc too? So much for that herd immunity, my kids are at higher risk now. Thanks
nicole
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 4 a.m.
All good points. Another problem is not screening immigrants and travelers to this country for diseases before they enter. This used to be routinely done. You weren't allowed off the boat until you recovered. Now I suppose it's not PC or something. It's fine for countries like China to do fever scans at the airport but for not the good old USA. We can't even protect our own citizens.
rosy12
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
Of course they are back! This is what happens when people don't vaccinate their children. Other diseases will follow - soon we will hear about polio again. These parents too young to remember how awful polio and these diseases are.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.
Can we thank the autism/vaccination wakadoodles for this?