Measles Outbreak

A state of emergency was declared in Samoa this week as the country continues to battle a measles crisis that's claimed 20 lives to date.

The study comes as 1,215 people have been diagnosed with measles due to an outbreak in the U.S.

The El Al staff member fell ill on a flight in March and died five months later.

Some states are considering legislation that would make it easier to seek an immunization exemption. This is a step in the wrong direction.

704 of this year's cases were reported from January 1 to April 26, which means 277—over a quarter of the number of cases reported to date—have surfaced in the last five weeks.

The anti-vaccine lobby has only grown more powerful as measles spreads across the U.S. Unless congressional action is taken, other vaccine-preventable diseases are likely to rise.

"Sometimes, it is easier to just get a dose of the vaccine if you're unsure of your immunity level," Dr. Johan Bester, vaccine expert with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Newsweek.  

Those who fail to obey the vaccination order face a fine of up to $1,000.

Those who don't comply and can't prove their immunity could be fined $1,000.

There have been nearly 300 cases of measles in one neighborhood since the outbreak began.

We need to protect the most vulnerable: babies, people with cancer, transplant recipients, and children for whom the vaccine does not confer immunity.

"God knows how I'm still alive," Lindenberger wrote on Reddit.

A plethora of other materials peddling anti-vax theories were still available as of Saturday.

The same Russian trolls who attempted to provoke racial tensions and influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election were also responsible for spreading propaganda against vaccinations.

"Urgent medical care is the only thing standing between these communities and utter devastation."

"New foci of antivaccine activities are being established in major metropolitan areas, rendering select cities vulnerable," researchers reported.

The disease can take three weeks to show symptoms.

A study suggests even a 5 percent decline in MMR vaccine adherence could spark a measles outbreak in the U.S.

Measles is the fifth vaccine-preventable disease to be eliminated from the Americas, but being declared disease-free doesn't mean measles will never surface again.

"Herd immunity" still isn't statistically achievable in small pockets of the country, according to a new report from the CDC.

Parents in the state can no longer use religious and philosophical reasons as grounds for forgoing immunizations for their child.

Home-schooled children are still permitted to forgo immunization.

"The science is clear: Vaccines are safe and efficacious."

"It benefits everyone to do all that is possible to prevent anyone from requiring medical attention," writes Jae Won Joh, a doctor.

Berlin is experiencing its worst measles outbreak since 2001.

83 percent of Americans think the measles vaccine is safe.

You have been duped and misled, explains a doctor.

Even libertarians should support giving officials powers to control against disease by quarantine and vaccination.

An outbreak that started just before Christmas has now infected dozens.