We on the path of most of the cases of measles in a decade

ATLANTA - the United States seems to be on track to have measles cases more than the year in more than a decade, with virtually all cases related to other countries, including Europe where there is a large epidemic.

There are already 89 cases reported so far. The United States is normally only about 50 cases of measles in a year through immunization.

Health authorities are reluctant to make predictions, but recognize that the pace of the reports is unusually hot.

"It is difficult to say, but we get certainly much, stated Dr. Greg Wallace, who leads the measles, mumps, rubella and polio team to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.".

Europe, including the France, was hit by measles, with more than 6,500 cases reported in 33 countries. International health authorities are attributing the failure to vaccinate all children.

Almost all U.S. outbreaks have been triggered by people bring here from other countries. This week, international health officials posted a passenger alert urging everywhere to get the recommended two doses of vaccine before flight overseas.

"The risk of infection is very high," said Dr. Cuauhtemoc Ruiz Matus, an expert of immunization with the Pan American Health Organization.

The United States, the worst year for measles in the past decade was 2008, when 140 cases have been reported. No there was no measles deaths this year, but health officials warn that the disease can be dangerous.

Measles is a highly contagious and up to 90% people exposed to an infected person, experts get disease. The virus spreads easily through the air, and in closed rooms, infected droplets may persist up to two hours after the ill person leaves.

"Measles is really the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases." "She has a talent for finding those that have not been vaccinated," said Wallace.

The most common symptoms of the disease include fever, runny nose, cough, inflammation of the eye and a rash on the body. It takes about two weeks for the rash to appear from the time of the first infection, and people are contagious from four days before an eruption in four days after.

A small fraction of people get much sicker, develop pneumonia or even encephalitis. For every 1,000 children who get measles in developed countries, one or two will die.

Not since 2003, no deaths related to measles reported to the United States, where children have been get vaccinated against the virus for nearly 50 years. Before the vaccine, almost all the children received measles by their 15th birthday and epidemics cycled through the nation every two or three years - reaching usually late winter or spring.

In these days, approximately 450 to 500 Americans died from measles each year, on average. Vaccination campaigns greatly reduces the toll, and today, about 90% of U.S. children are protected against measles, after studies of adolescents.

Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine are routinely recommended for all children, including a first dose given on first anniversary of the child and a second dose at the preschool. These vaccines are considered last for life.

Children from the age of six months can obtain a first dose if they go in a country where they are at high risk of exposure, say health officials.

"Unfortunately, is not always done." Parents often report to their doctors that they take their child in one international travel, ", said Dr. Harry Keyserling, a specialist in pediatric infectious disease at Emory University School of Medicine."

A single dose is considered to be 95% efficient, two doses even better. But health officials recognize it is not perfect and some people who are fully vaccinated will still get sick.

Of the 89 cases reported through the end of last week, 79 have been those which have been vaccinated or who had no documentation of it, Wallace said.

Outbreaks so far this year have included:

_In Florida, five cases related to international trade helicopter show held in Orlando last month and another three case in an outbreak in the Gainesville area dates back to a traveller who had been in India.

_Nine in Utah, reported last month. They were linked to a person who has apparently been infected in Poland.

_Twenty-a case in Minnesota, for the first time in February. Diseases have been drawn to a child of Minneapolis - areas which developed symptoms after returning from a trip to the Kenya.

Case of _Six in Pennsylvania, for the first time in January, unknown origin.