Epidemiology of Measles

Measles was first described by a Persian doctor in the 9^th century, but cases of the disease were not reported nationally until 1912. Thousands and thousands of people died from measles or suffered lifelong effects of the disease until in 1963 when a vaccine was made available to the public. Before the vaccine was created, 90% of children became infected by the disease before the age of 15. It was considered the 5^th most common cause of death for children under 5. The vaccine was so successful that the US decided to attempt elimination of the disease completely. Elimination of the disease essentially means that for at least one year there was absolutely no continuous transmission of the disease. In 2000 that goal was officially realized in the US.

Sadly, measles elimination has not kept us immune from the disease. As I mentioned in my last post, recently there have been a series of outbreaks. The US is currently experiencing what is called a “multi-state outbreak.” Measles is a worldwide problem. Because we now have the ability to travel all over the world, the disease can easily be transmitted among people who are not vaccinated. If someone is not vaccinated and travels to a country where they are exposed to the disease, when they return to the US they can infect others who are not vaccinated. Because the disease is so contagious it can spread very quickly. People who are not vaccinated are very susceptible to acquiring the infection.

The most recent outbreak is linked to Disneyland. In December a group of individuals were exposed and since that exposure, 178 cases of measles in 17 states have been reported. Hence the term "multi-state" outbreak. In 2014, 644 cases in 27 states were reported, representing the largest cluster of cases since the disease was eliminated.

Check out this video on how measles make a comeback:

If you are less into videos and more into articles, here are a couple great ones to get you started:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/02/us/measles-facts.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/16/393336901/vaccination-gaps-helped-fuel-disneyland-measles-spread

References:

Barinaga, J., Skolnik, P. (2015). Epidemiolofy and transmission of measles. UptoDate. Retrieved from http://www-uptodate-com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/contents/epidemiology-and-transmission-of-measles?source=search_result&search=epidemiology+of+measles&selectedTitle=1~150

Hensley, S. (2015). Vaccination gaps helped fuel disneyland measles spread. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/16/393336901/vaccination-gaps-helped-fuel-disneyland-measles-spread

Measles cases and outbreaks. (2015). CDC. Retrieved from  

http://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

Measles history (2015). CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html