The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) released a report on Thursday in response to the biggest outbreak of measles in seven years. Already this year, there have been 64 reported cases in 9 states. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and transmitted usually through coughing. Adding to the spread, an infected person may continue to be contagious even after their symptoms disappear. The most common symptoms are a high fever, coughing, and a splotchy red rash all over the body.
Of the 64 cases, all but one of the people had not been vaccinated, and 54 of the cases contracted the disease through importation from another country. Although none of the victims have died of yet, measles is a serious respiratory disease that if left untreated can kill. The disease itself does not usually kill, but it’s complications do. The next steps to measles can be pneumonia and infections that can lead to blindness.
Learn more about the report released by the CDC here.