Measles Outbreak Could Cost The U.S. Its Elimination Status

The United States is in danger of losing its Measles elimination status according to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the Director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

"It certainly is incredibly frustrating and upsetting to the public health community that we may lose our status because we do have a safe and effective vaccine," Messonnier told CNN.com.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 1,215 confirmed cases of Measles across 30 states as of August 22.

The CDC said the 1,215 cases of Measles in the U.S. is the most since 1992. Three-quarters of those cases occurred in New York City and across New York State. The areas with the biggest outbreaks continue to be in Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Rockland County.

New York State passed a new law in June that eliminated all non-medical and religious exemptions to vaccines.

Photo Credit: Getty Images


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