Our World

Measles outbreaks on the rise in U.S.

I recently read an article about measles oubreaks occuring more rapidly and frequently in the United States. The article talked about how a computer programmer in Boston traveled to India on a business trip. While he was there he contracted measles. Soon after he returned to Boston, (two months to be exact) fifteen people contracted the disease from this computer programmers work. They contracted the disease just from being in contact with the man. The article then when into depth about how measles cases have been climbing the past ten years in the United States and why experts think they are climbing. Experts believe that measles have been climbing because of two factors. These two factors are, ineffective vaccines given out in the 1960's, and the reluctance of some Americans to get vaccinated for belief that the disease was eradicated.

The return of measles is a prime example of globalization at its peak. Diseases can spread acorss the world very easily now because of the ease at which people can travel. Airplanes and boats have made the world very connected with each other. We are in an era were diseases can spread much more rapidly than they ever could before. This article also shows that more developed countries have far more medical advancements than lesser developed countries. The United States hasn't had to worry about measles for a number of years thanks mass distribution of vaccines. Lesser devopled countries however; have a constant struggle to help those with dangerous diseases. Luckily measles can be treated and cured rather effectivley. Although measles can be cured, this recent outbreak raises an important question. If measles can be spread that easy through globalization, what could happen if a disease that has no known cure (Avian Bird Flu for example), is spread throught the world? The world could see an epidemic not seen since the influenza days of the early 1900's or possibly even the pneumonic plague.
The article on measles More on measles Avian Bird Flu

posted by Anonymous @ 9/17/2006 05:32:00 PM