A recent report by the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an increase in measles cases in the U.S. for 2013. Around 175 cases have been reported this year, a three-fold increase from the last decade.
Around 88 percent of the cases reported in 2013 were due to the virus coming into the country via travelers and spreading to people who were not vaccinated against the disease.
Nearly 200 cases have been reported so far this year. It is the largest single outbreak in the last 17 years with more than 58 members affected by the virus in a Jewish community in New York, reports Live Science. The only other year that reported more than 200 cases was 2011.
Measles is highly contagious and is the cause of nearly 164,000 deaths across the world every year. In 2000, measles was said to be eliminated from the U.S. with less than one occurrence in every 1 million cases although the CDC report claims 65 cases each year between 2000 and 2011.
To prevent such outbreaks a large population has to be vaccinated against the virus.
"A measles outbreak anywhere is a risk everywhere," said Tom Frieden, director of CDC. "The steady arrival of measles in the United States is a constant reminder that deadly diseases are testing our health security every day. The steady arrival of measles in the United States is a constant reminder that deadly diseases are testing our health security every day."
A huge portion of the U.S. population is still unaware of the importance of vaccination but to prevent outbreaks regular vaccinations are mandatory, recommend the researchers at CDC.
CDC is also focusing on curbing the occurrence of the disease in other countries. The association has vaccinated nearly 1.1 children in other countries so far. "With patterns of global travel and trade, disease can spread nearly anywhere within 24 hours," Frieden said in a statement. "That's why the ability to detect, fight and prevent these diseases must be developed and strengthened overseas, and not just here in the United States."