1. ddobbs
  2. Measles Cases Grow in Number, and Officials Blame Parents’ Fear of Autism - NYTimes.com

Measles Cases Grow in Number, and Officials Blame Parents’ Fear of Autism - NYTimes.com

By ddobbs on August 27, 2008.

When I called out a Scientific American post yesterday about a rise in measles cases because of unvaccinated children, I forgot to include a link to a longer story on the same issue that ran in the NY Times. It's short, but worth a look as well:

More people had measles infections in the first seven months of this year than during any comparable period since 1996, and public health officials blamed growing numbers of parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

Many of these parents say they believe vaccines cause autism, even though multiple studies have found no reputable evidence to support such a claim. In Britain, Switzerland, Israel and Italy, measles outbreaks have soared, sickening thousands and causing at least two deaths.


Tags: , , , ,

Tags
medicine
Science Policy
immunization
infectious disease
measles
vaccination
medicine
Science Policy

More like this

Study: Vaccine refusal is fueling the spread of potentially deadly diseases
A recent study finds vaccine refusals have, indeed, accelerated the resurgence of whooping cough and measles here in the U.S. The findings are making headlines around the country — and comment sections are filling up with vitriol from anti-vaxxers — but it would feel amiss not to highlight the…
Who are the denialists? (Part IV)
It's time to talk about the anti-vaccine (or anti-vax) denialists. Considering the Autism Omnibus trial is underway to decide whether or not parents of autistic children can benefit from the vaccine-compensation program, a fund designed to compensate those who have had reactions to vaccines and…
Infectious Diseases, Vaccinations, Responsibility, and Irresponsibility
A single person contracted an infectious disease in Switzerland sometime during the week before January 15th. Within 10 days, new cases of the disease had been identified in San DIego. Less than two weeks later, the disease was known to have spread to Honolulu. People exposed to the disease are…
Measles vaccine doesn't cause SSPE
[From the archives; originally posted October 20, 2005] Measles is one of those diseases that we don't give much thought to in the United States anymore. Following an incubation period of about 10 days, flu-like symptoms appear: fever, malaise, cough, congestion, conjunctivitis. Soon, the rash…