Measles outbreaks on the homefront and abroad

By Liam Harrington

According to the World Health Organization, around 110,000 people worldwide died from the vaccine-preventable disease of measles, in 2017. The resurgence of this communicable disease has only become worse since then.

Right now, here in Canada, 17 cases of measles have been discovered in British Columbia. So far, the outbreak is relatively small and is contained. The outbreak has made many people reconsider their stance on vaccination: MMR vaccinations jumped in B.C. after the outbreak.

In the United States, the measles outbreak in New York state rages on, quickly becoming the worst outbreak in decades. Another outbreak has struck Oregon. In response to the resurgence of measles in New York, which has resulted in over 300 cases, one county in New York is taking action. Rockland County, where nearly half of infected individuals live, have banned unvaccinated children from attending school in an attempt to curb the outbreak. More than 40 students have been banned from one local school called Green Meadow Waldorf School.

Worldwide there have been severe outbreaks in France, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, and Madagascar.