California measles outbreak •

California reports 107 confirmed cases of measles

The California health officials on Monday confirmed a total of 107 measles cases in the state, with over a third of them associated with the outbreak triggered in its Disneyland in December last year.

39 out of the 107 confirmed cases in the state have been associated with the Disneyland outbreak, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Apart from California, 19 other states and Mexico, including three new cases reported in Illinois and Cook County, have witnessed over three dozen additional cases of the highly contagious disease.

Of the eight confirmed cases of measles so far in Cook County, seven are linked with a daycare center in Palatine.

Meanwhile, the health officials at Georgia reported confirmed infection of measles in an infant who is believed to have brought the communicable disease from outside the United States to Atlanta. With this diagnosis, the state reports its first case of measles since 2012.

The Georgian infant’s case is not associated with California’s Disney park outbreak.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, their health officials are jointly working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to look into the possible cases of infection among the target groups, mostly those who have not taken vaccines.

The recent measles outbreak has once again brought the so-called anti-vaccination movement in the limelight where people opt out of vaccination fearing the potential side effects of vaccines. The movement was also fueled by a research study, which is now-debunked, suggesting a close association between autism and vaccines.

This made a small section of people refusing vaccination for their children. These refusals were also based on religious or other beliefs of the parents.

California may bring legislation to check measles vaccine exemptions

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Amid the continuous rise in the measles outbreak across the states in the US, two California lawmakers on Wednesday announced that they will be introducing a legislation proposing the end of the right of parents in California to exempt their children from receiving school vaccinations due to their personal beliefs.

The measure comes in response to the outbreak of the contagious disease, linked to the December’s visit to Disneyland, which has infected over 100 people countrywide.

Announcing the legislation in a written statement, state Senator Ben Allen said, “The high number of unvaccinated students is jeopardizing public health not only in schools but in the broader community. We need to take steps to keep our schools safe and our students healthy.”

Allen is co-sponsoring the legislation with fellow Democrat Richard Pan.

The officials believed that the measles outbreak began after an infected foreigner visited Disneyland in late December.

According to the California public health officials, 92 people have been confirmed for measles infection in the state alone. Many of these cases are believed to be linked with the Disney Park outbreak.

Over a dozen other cases of the dangerous communicable disease have been confirmed in 19 other American states and Mexico.

As the number of cases has crossed the 100-mark, it has renewed a rigorous debate over the so-called ‘anti-vaccination movement’ that has discouraged the people for getting vaccinated, owing their personal and religious beliefs. One of the most important reasons is also the potential side effects of vaccines that have caused a small minority of parents refusing to allow vaccination for their kids.

If the legislation is passed by the lawmakers, California would become the 33rd state to stop parents from not choosing to vaccinate their children based on personal beliefs.

California confirms 26 measles cases linked to Disneyland

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California health department on Monday confirmed few more cases of measles in the people who had last month made a visit to Disneyland and nearby the California Adventure park, taking the total number of infected people to 26.

According to the California Department of Public Health, the state has reported a total of 22 confirmed cases of measles linked with the visits to the Anaheim parks from December 15 and 20, including one case in which the person directly contracted the disease from an infected person.

In addition, two confirmed cases have been reported in Utah and one case each in both Washington state and Colorado, the health department said.

The health officials also said that they are currently investigating four more possible cases of measles as six of those who were ill were eventually sent to hospital.

Meanwhile, the health officials at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have said that they are working with the California health department in order to provide information and assistance in the measles outbreak.

Measles is a contagious viral disease that may be sometimes fatal. It mainly starts on the face and then further spreads downward.

Some of the common symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever and red eyes, followed by appearance of red rashes on the skin.

Health experts say there is no specific cure or treatment for it. Most people recover from the disease within a few weeks. It can prove to be fatal in poor and malnourished children as well as those with reduced immunity.

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