Measles

Measles seems to be popping up everywhere these days. In February, 3 children in San Diego were diagnosed with the virus, the first reported outbreak since 1991. This initial outbreak spread to another, followed by another 6 and a quarantine. In March, health authorities in Seattle warned travellers of possible exposure. This past week, a measles warning was made for guests at a wedding in Rockland County, NY and, in a separate case, Nassau County, NY. In Milwaukee, four cases have been recently identified, 3 of them in children under 2 years of age. Twelve other children have been quarantined. In Canada, health officials in Guelph have issued a measles warning after an individual who was diagnosed may have exposed others. And in Toronto, 5 cases have been confirmed in the past 4 weeks.

Measles is a highly contagious virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjuntivitis and a potentially itchy rash. Complications are common and include pneumonia, encephalitis and corneal scarring. In developed countries, the fatality rate is about 1:1000 in otherwise healthy people.

If only there was some sort of shot to prevent infection.