Increase in measles outbreaks worry health officials

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Increase in measles outbreaks worry health officials

Story Published: Aug 21, 2008 at 1:18 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 21, 2008 at 1:18 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) - The number of measles cases in the U.S. has
reached its highest point in more than a decade.

At 131 cases, the figure is still small. But that's just for the
first seven months of this year and doctors are troubled by the
trend. There were only 42 cases for all of last year.

Nearly half of this year's cases involve children whose parents
rejected vaccination. Pediatricians are frustrated, saying they
have to spend more time convincing parents that the shot is safe.

A review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds
that a number of cases involve home-schooled children who aren't
required to have the vaccines.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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