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The measles outbreak in our country has reached a high of 695 cases, the highest annual number recorded since the disease was eliminated in 2000. The virus has been detected in 22 states.

One of the main outbreaks began back in October in a Jewish community in New York City. Someone brought the disease into the country after visiting Israel. The city began banning unvaccinated people over the age of 18 from public places, but the order was blocked leading the city to ban anyone from the public if they have measles symptoms or have been exposed to the disease.

Recently, an outbreak was detected in Michigan. Another in Washington State. The virus has mostly been seen in families that do not vaccinate their children. The CDC is blaming “organizations that are deliberately targeting these communities with inaccurate and misleading information about vaccines.”

Mayor Bill BeBlasio of New York, declared a state of emergency and threatened residents in Brooklyn with $1,000 fines if they refused to get vaccinated. About 12 summonses have been issued so far. If not responded to, people can be fined $2,000.

“The longer these outbreaks continue, the greater the chance measles will again get a sustained foothold in the United States,” the C.D.C. said in a statement.

No deaths have been reported in connection to the disease. Most have been hospitalized. The previous high was in 2014, when 667 cases were confirmed. Earlier this month, the W.H.O. said there were three times as many measles cases around the world this year as there were in the first three months of 2018.

Written by Clarke Jones

Source: New York Times