A measles outbreak in the US has sickened more than 100 people across 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The majority of those cases have been reported in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon and Washington.Many health experts are attributing the outbreak to the anti-vaccination movement.Seventeen US states allow for philosophical exemptions for individuals who have conscientious objections to one or more vaccines.California, Mississippi, and West Virginia are the only three states that require a medical reason for exemptions.A public health emergency in the US shows no signs of slowing down.As of February 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had tallied 101 cases of measles across 10 states. At least half of those cases were reported in the Pacific Northwest.The outbreak began January 22, when thepublic health department of Clark County, Washington, announcedthat at least 23 people were sick with the viral illness, which incubates for a week or two before prompting fever, coughing, runny nose, and little red bumps that break out on the face and body. There are now at least 50 people with measles in Clark County.Many are blaming anti-vaxxers for the measles outbreakAs the number of measles cases continues to rise, many public-health experts are attributing the epidemic to anti-vaxxers. In Washington, 43 of the 50 cases were among people who did not receive the measles vaccine.Read more: Measles cases surged 30% last year due to 'gaps' in vaccine coverage, and experts say it's 'deeply concerning'The high percentage of unvaccinated measles patients may be a result of Washington's vaccination exemptions. According to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), Washington is one of 17 states that allowforphilosophical exemptions from vaccines, which are granted to individuals who hold conscientious objections to one or more shots.Those 17 states also allow for medical exemptions and religious exemptions, which are intended for people who hold a religious belief so strong that "if the state forced vaccination, it would be an infringement on their constitutional right to exercise their religious beliefs."The following map breaks down vaccine-exemption rules across the US, using data from NVIC.The 10 states with reported measles cases are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Four of those statesColorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washingtonallow for philosophical exemptions.The other states with similar exemption rules are: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.Read more: From autism risks to mercury poisoning, here are 10 lies anti-vaxxers are spreading about the measles vaccine in the Pacific NorthwestMost other states, as well as the District of Columbia, allow for religious exemptions. California, Mississippi, and West Virginia are the only three states that just permit exemptions for medical reasons.Even if you do receive vaccines, you could still get infectedReceiving a vaccine does not guarantee immunity. A full course of the measles vaccinewhich consists of two dosesis about 97% effective at stopping the measles, while a single dose is 93% effective. (At least one person who received a single dose of the measles vaccine in Washington got sick.)However, vaccinations can increase herd immunity, a scenario in which enough people get vaccines that it's difficult for a virus to spread in a community. This offers protection for people who are unable to get vaccines for health reasons, like HIV or cancer.Hilary Brueck contributed reporting to this story.Read more:A mother is reminding people to vaccinate their children after her cancer-stricken daughter caught measles4 diseases that have been eliminated in the United States in the last 100 yearsArizona cancelled a vaccine education program after complaints from anti-vaxx parents14 celebrities who shut down anti-vaxxing mythsJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Michael D'Antonio reveals Donald Trump's 'strange' morning ritual that boosts his ego
Click here to read full news..
