Although the measles has been eradicated in the Unite States, officials believe that it may not truly be gone. The CDC fears that the residents of the US are in danger of this disease because of travelers coming from foreign countries. In 2013 there have been a reported 175 cases from people who had previously traveled outside of the country. The CDC director said,
“A measles outbreak anywhere is a risk everywhere." He said that this is a reminder that any disease has the potential to return and that seems to be the case for the measles. Around the world there are 18 children dying every hour. In 2010 there was only 60 reported cases. Only few countries have the capability to detect the disease and also vaccinate them. The CDC wants to try and push for more vaccinations so that they can take a step in the right direction. This reminds me of how people were pushed to get inoculated so that they had a bigger chance of beating the disease. By getting inoculated they would have the potential to be immune. It relates to the measles because they are pushing for more vaccines to save more lives.
I chose this article because I thought it was interesting how a disease you don't really hear about, is
making a come back. It is scary to think that a disease that was eradicated is having such a strong return. I hope that more vaccines become available to the people who need it. Who would have that you would have to think about diseases and vaccines when planning a vacation. I hope one day that this disease will be gone for good.
I think you did a really nice job summarizing this article. I did not know that Measles had been knocked out in the United States. It does however concern me that if it is popping up so strongly in other countries that it may spread back to the United States. Like you said we live in a very mobile world and it would not be very hard for the disease to be transmitted back to the United States and start an epidemic here. I believe we are vaccinated against Measles, but I would like to look more into this issue. I believe it may be smart for the CDC and other people involved in infectious control to try some of the efforts that others used to eradicate Small Pox, for example Ring Vaccination. This is definetley a serious issue and should be looked further into.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of this previously, and it is a great article! People traveling and trade has always been a major way that disease has spread; perhaps the CDC or another organization could work to find more effective ways to prevent that in the future. The statistic of 18 children dying per hour from measles around the world is so sad. Vaccination should definitely be a priority for everyone, and hopefully it will be eradicated soon.
ReplyDeleteI think vaccination is something the United States should take more seriously. It would be nice to see the united states working with the CDC and the UN, other countries and volunteer organizations to make vaccinations far more readily available in other countries. Americans should be able to travel to exotic places without the risk of contracting a disease which has been eradicated in the United States. The people living in these plagued nations also have a right to the vaccines necessary to protect not only themselves, but those around them. Clearly vaccines are not a luxury, but a necessity.
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