The Origin of The Measles Virus in America

U.S. News and World Report came forth with some information on the rise of the measles virus and how it’s becoming a prevalent disease here in America today. Studies have shown that the rise of measles can be attributed almost entirely to the choice of parents today on whether or not to vaccinate their children. Most of those who contract measles are amongst the unvaccinated toddlers and young children of the United States. Statistics proved that from 2001 until 2015, there has been a rise in cases of measles from 0.28 per million to 0.56 per million.

The article highlighted that this resurgence of the disease is not due to a failing vaccine, nor is it due to a mutation virus, but it is due to those who are knowingly unvaccinated contracting the disease, whether it be from overseas travel or from someone in the community. The disease once contracted is highly contagious and has the potential of infecting many. The article also highlighted the fact that measles will likely not become the epidemic it once was due to the fact that those who are vaccinated outweigh those who are not.

More statistics that were presented in this news article stated that roughly around 70 percent of cases of measles were contracted by those who were among the unvaccinated by the MMR vaccine, and the article also stated that there were another 18 percent of cases that they are unsure about regarding vaccination status. Luckily, only about 27 percent of contracted cases were found in those who acquired the disease overseas, as the rest of the cases were found in the United States, making it a endemic, rather than an epidemic.

I personally believe that the information presented was credible, accurate, and educational. Taking a microbiology course has cemented my belief that all people of a country, regardless of sexual orientation, religious belief, race, ethnicity, or bias deserves the right to be vaccinated, and that includes children. I believe that this article shows the dangers of consciously choosing to leave your children unprotected from potentially deadly diseases. I believe it is the responsibility of all parents and the responsibility of all American’s to actively assist in keeping the number of cases of infectious diseases at a minimum. A doubling of cases from 0.28 to 0.56 per million should not be an acceptable standard for anyone concerned with their own health, the health of their children, or the health of anyone around them.

Also, just a side note: VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM.