**Measles Exposure Warning for Edmonton Residents.** Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued an urgent warning after a person with laboratory-confirmed measles visited several locations in the Edmonton area over the past eight days. Anyone who was present at these locations during the specified times may have been exposed to the virus.
Measles, a once-eliminated disease, is making a comeback in the U.S. As of April 18, the CDC has reported over 100 cases, more than doubling the total of the previous year. This poses a grave threat to susceptible communities with low vaccination rates, putting children and adults at risk. The Coalition for National Vaccination is urging Congress to fully fund the CDC’s National Immunization Program to strengthen vaccine infrastructure, improve disease surveillance, and conduct research and outreach.
West Virginia has reported its first case of measles since 2009, an under-vaccinated individual who recently traveled internationally. As measles cases surge in the United States, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent outbreaks.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has issued a dire warning that a Disease X outbreak is a matter of when, not if, urging global leaders to prepare. Meanwhile, health officials in West Virginia have confirmed the first known measles case in the state since 2009. The patient, who had received one dose of the measles vaccine, developed symptoms after traveling abroad. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented over 113 measles cases nationwide this year, raising concerns about the preventable virus. Most U.S. cases are imported by individuals traveling from countries where measles is more common.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a warning about the increase in measles and pertussis cases across the European Union. Measles cases have risen significantly since 2023, with over 5,700 cases reported between March 2023 and February 2024, resulting in five deaths. Pertussis cases have also increased tenfold compared to the previous two years. These diseases, while vaccine-preventable, continue to circulate and pose a threat to the unvaccinated or vulnerable populations. To curb transmission, the ECDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination, highlighting its protective effects not only for individuals but also for those unable to receive vaccines due to age or compromised immune systems.
While Kane County remains free of measles, the health department is monitoring the outbreak in Chicago and working with one potential contact. Officials urge vaccination as the best protection against the highly infectious disease, which is often brought to the US by travelers from countries with low vaccination rates. Measles can cause serious complications, and most cases are preventable through vaccination.
West Virginia has reported its first known case of measles since 2009, with an adult patient testing positive for the viral infection. The health department is working to identify and notify those who came into contact with the patient, who had partially vaccinated against measles and developed symptoms after recent international travel. Officials are concerned about the potential spread of the highly contagious disease, which can lead to serious complications. Nationwide, measles cases this year have nearly doubled compared to 2023, prompting health experts to emphasize the importance of vaccination and quarantine measures to prevent its spread.
A mother whose baby contracted measles urges parents to vaccinate their children as the UK faces a sharp increase in measles infections. Margot, who is too young for the MMR vaccine, caught the virus while in the hospital for an allergic reaction. She required oxygen and feeding tubes to fight the infection, leaving her parents heartbroken. Doctors emphasize the severity of measles and warn of the consequences of declining vaccination rates.
