LANSING, Mich. — Two cases of the measles have been confirmed this year and another is being investigated, said the Michigan Department of Community Health Tuesday.
Both confirmed cases in the state were babies exposed to measles while out of the country, the MDCH said in a statement. Sixteen states have reported 159 measles occurrances since the beginning of the year. The average annual rate since 2001 is 60.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blames the uptickin the U.S. on high rates of measles internationally and few immunizations in some communities, said the MDCH. ).
“We need to achieve and sustain high levels of vaccination in Michigan and across the United States,” said MDCH Chief Medical Executive Dr. Matthew Davis. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles outbreaks from occurring and to prevent this disease from spreading widely in our communities.”
