More Measles Cases -Here’s the Data

This past month a recent perspective article (NEJM 2014; 371: 1661-3) provides an update on measles and the problems with vaccination rates.

Key points:

More measles cases in 2014 (592 thru Aug 29) than in any year in the past 20. Already, the number of cases this year is >3-fold the number in 2013 and ~10-fold more than in 2012
Most cases are due to infections acquired during travel or due to cases being brought into U.S. by foreign travelers
Problem has expanded due to increasing number of unvaccinated children. Vaccines “that remain in the vial are completely ineffective.”
Measles remains one of the most contagious illnesses and typically one person can infect up to 18 susceptible persons. Due to its contagiousness, a high level of herd immunity (>92-94% immune) is needed to prevent sustained spread of virus.
Measles can be deadly with case fatality rate of 0.2% to 0.3% in the developed world and much higher in the developing world (2-15%).
Even a few cases are very expensive to control. A 2004 Iowa outbreak of only three patients cost more than $140,000 to contain/investigate. An outbreak in Arizona with only 7 patients cost more than $800,000.

Related blog posts:

gutsandgrowth