US MEASLES OUTBREAK CLIMBING

The current measles outbreak of 64cases from January through April 25 isthe most reported for this time periodsince 2001. While no deaths have beenreported, the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention expect the total tokeep increasing.

Measles is highly contagious and canresult in serious complications anddeath. Of the 64 cases, 54 were associatedwith importation of measles fromother countries into the United Sates,and 63 of the 64 patients were not vaccinatedor had unknown or undocumentedvaccination status. To date, 14(22%) patients have been hospitalized.

The largest outbreak, 22 cases, hasbeen reported in New York City. Otherconfirmed cases have been reportedfrom the following areas: Arizona (15),California (12), Michigan and Wisconsin(4 each), Hawaii (3), and Illinois, New Yorkstate, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (1 each).