CDC reports largest US resurgence of measles in six years

At least four outbreaks of measles in several states have already led to more than 70 cases so far this year and are expected to produce more cases in 2008 than in any other recent year, the U.S. health officials warned Thursday.

This year’s outbreak of measles that is underway around the United States is the worst in six years, affecting at least 72 people ranging from infants to the elderly in 10 states, the federal health officials said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though no death has been reported due to the highly contagious viral illness so far, but at least 14 people have been hospitalized as a result of this year's measles outbreak, most with pneumonia triggered by measles.

"I am concerned. This is different from what we have been seeing in the last few years," said Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Schuchat further said she expects "many more cases this year than we had in 2001 based on what's going on today."

CDC asserts most of the cases have occurred in people who were never vaccinated for religious reasons or for their belief that shots may cause autism or other problems.

“We are concerned about the population of people who are choosing not to be vaccinated and whether we may be on the verge of experiencing larger outbreaks among people in the United States," said Schuchat.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and it spreads person to person. It is an acute viral illness caused by a member of the Morbillivirus genus of the family Paramyxoviridae. This respiratory disease in humans remains a leading cause of death among young children, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for the past 40 years.

This severe disease causes a rash, cough, fever, spots, red eyes and runny nose. In severe cases it can lead to pneumonia and even can kill. A child can get measles through close contact with another child who has the disease.

Measles has become a rare disease in the United States since measles vaccinations began in the early 1960s.