Debosmita Ghosh • 28 Jul 2024
Increase In Measles Cases In The U.S.; Check Symptoms And Complications Of The Viral Infection
Increase In Measles Cases In The U.S.
There is an increase in the number of measles cases across the United States. The numbers have tripled from last year’s total. According to the data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 188 cases have been reported in 26 states and Washington, D.C. However, no deaths have been reported. Among these, 93 people have been hospitalised, most of them being children under 5 years of age.
The total number of cases last year in the U.S. was 58. The number of cases reported this year is also the highest since 2019. The country has had 13 measles outbreaks this year, the largest of which took off at a migrant shelter in Chicago in March and was linked to more than 60 cases, according to a report in NBC News.
Experts say that the surge in cases is due to two reasons; declining vaccination rates in the US and a rise in measles cases across the globe. CDC says that around 85% of the people who got measles this year were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Measles is a viral disease that causes fever and a rash. It is highly contagious and spreads through the air when a person with measles talks, coughs or sneezes. There isn’t any treatment available for measles. The best way to stay protected against measles is to get the measles vaccine.
Symptoms of Measles
The symptoms of measles might start to appear after 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Here, take a look at some of the common symptoms of measles, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Tiny white spots with bluish-white centres on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik's spots
- A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another.
Complications of Measles
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting can result in losing too much water from the body (dehydration).
Ear infection
One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.
Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup
Measles may lead to irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the airways (croup). It can also lead to inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of the lungs (bronchitis). Measles can also cause inflammation of the voice box (laryngitis).
Pneumonia
Measles can commonly cause an infection in the lungs (pneumonia). People with weakened immune systems can develop an especially dangerous type of pneumonia that sometimes can lead to death.
Encephalitis
About 1 in 1,000 people with measles can develop a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain. The condition can be especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later. Encephalitis can cause permanent brain damage.
Pregnancy problems
If you’re pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause premature birth, low birth weight and foetal death.