Five things to know about the measles outbreak

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/439018-five-things-to-know-about-the-measles-outbreak

Five things to know about the measles outbreak

By Nathaniel Weixel - 04/16/19 06:00 AM EDT

The number of new measles cases in the country is on the rise, with the U.S. on track to have its worst year since public health officials declared the disease eliminated in 2000. As of Thursday, the current outbreak has sickened 555 people across 20 states.
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Here are five things to know about the measles outbreak.

States are taking the lead on prevention

The measles virus has been spreading primarily among pockets of unvaccinated children. The sharp increase has prompted a pushback against state laws that allow people to opt out of vaccinated their children for moral or religious reasons.
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Anti-vaccination movement is under pressure

The outbreak has shined a light on opponents of vaccinations.

“The anti-vaccine lobby has grown from a fringe group to one with its own media empire,” said Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor University’s College of Medicine.

He said the anti-vaccine lobby is spreading misinformation, mostly unopposed, and the numbers of people becoming sick have reached a tipping point.
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Outbreaks concentrated in specific groups

As of April 8, New York City has confirmed 285 measles cases in Brooklyn and Queens since the outbreak began in October. Most of the cases have involved members of the Orthodox Jewish community.
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