(Image source from: Medical News Today)

Years after the United States government officially declared the eradication of the measles from the nation, the spread of the highly contagious infectious disease has reappeared and touched a new record in the U.S.

In 2019 around 700 cases of measles have been reported from across the United States despite in 2010 the country’s health officials had recorded that measles had been eliminated from the country due to the intense vaccination program.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar released a statement saying, "The United States is seeing a resurgence of measles, a disease that had once been effectively eliminated from our country," he said and acknowledged the significance of the number of cases.

The states who have reported the resurgence in measles cases are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through the air and caused by a virus of the paramyxovirus family.

Un-vaccinated people are highly susceptible to it especially if they come in contact with the virus through sneezing or touching. Measles symptoms include bright red spots on the face, high fever, and cough.

Severe cases in children can lead to death which is why the World Health Organization is working with developing countries to ensure a robust vaccination programme.

U.S. Health officials say that children who have not been vaccinated and have traveled to countries where the measles virus still exists became carriers as they came back to the U.S. The spread has been reported in communities where a new anti-vaccination attitude has taken hold.

For instance, New York declared a public health emergency over the measles outbreak and it began when an un-vaccinated child became infected while visiting Israel, according to health officials.

The conservative Jew community has reported a high-rate of lack of vaccination for measles for its toddlers.

The CNN reported that of the number of measles cases registered with health institutions last week, 72 percent are unvaccinated, and 18 percent have an unknown vaccination status.

By Sowmya Sangam