Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/opinion/remembering-how-to-fight-measles.html?_r=0
Remembering How to Fight Measles
By PAUL A. OFFITMARCH 27, 2014
THE measles vaccine is a victim of its own success.
In 1963, when the vaccine first came into existence, measles virus infected about three million people a year in the United States, hospitalized 48,000 and killed 500. By the turn of the 21st century, however, measles infections had been virtually eliminated. Unfortunately, because some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, measles is coming back. Last year, nearly 200 cases were reported. This year, the numbers appear to be even worse, with cases in more than half a dozen states already.
The current outbreak in New York City revealed another problem. The city?s deputy commissioner for disease control, Jay Varma, found that some of the cases might have resulted from exposure in hospitals. On March 12, one hospital wrote an email to the staff stating that ?nearly 600 patients? might have been exposed. Given its rigorous infection-control procedures, a hospital would seem to have measures in place to prevent such exposures. But the lapse shouldn?t be so surprising.
First, most clinicians and parents have never seen someone with measles...
Remembering How to Fight Measles
By PAUL A. OFFITMARCH 27, 2014
THE measles vaccine is a victim of its own success.
In 1963, when the vaccine first came into existence, measles virus infected about three million people a year in the United States, hospitalized 48,000 and killed 500. By the turn of the 21st century, however, measles infections had been virtually eliminated. Unfortunately, because some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, measles is coming back. Last year, nearly 200 cases were reported. This year, the numbers appear to be even worse, with cases in more than half a dozen states already.
The current outbreak in New York City revealed another problem. The city?s deputy commissioner for disease control, Jay Varma, found that some of the cases might have resulted from exposure in hospitals. On March 12, one hospital wrote an email to the staff stating that ?nearly 600 patients? might have been exposed. Given its rigorous infection-control procedures, a hospital would seem to have measures in place to prevent such exposures. But the lapse shouldn?t be so surprising.
First, most clinicians and parents have never seen someone with measles...