Why recent measles outbreaks may represent a ‘new normal’

measles outbreak

Back near the start of this century, before the full damage of Andrew Wakefield’s debunked study linking measles vaccine and autism became clear and social networking sites turbo-charged the disruptive power of vaccine opponents, some experts believed the world was ready to rid itself of measles once and for all.

These days, with massive outbreaks in the Philippines and Ukraine, more than 80,000 cases in the past year in Europe, and ongoing epidemics in New York, Washington, Texas, Illinois, and California, measles does not feel like an endangered virus.

There’s less talk about measles eradication in 2019. In fact, projections about the future of measles are much more somber now than they were in the early aughts. More measles, not less, appear to be on the horizon, at least in the near term, experts glumly admit.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s center for immunization and respiratory diseases, said she believes recent increases in measles cases — after years of very low numbers in the United States — mark a “new normal.”

“In general, nationally, most Americans are vaccinated and it is the pockets of individuals that are unvaccinated,” she said.

Read full, original post: The measles virus was down and out. Now it’s primed for a comeback

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.