You follow the news, right? So, I probably DON'T need to tell you that there's been an

outbreak of the measles linked to a certain Mouse-centered park system. I don't know about

you but when I hear outbreak of the measles, I start thinking back to the 17th century,

and colonial America, but since the virus was identified in the nineteen-teens and a

vaccination was created in the late 50s; the measles has been a relatively easy disease

to control. In fact, our regional strain of the measles was eliminated from the US as

of 2000, but it's still fairly common in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

In 2014, though, there were a record number of measles cases in the U.S. The CDC says

there were 644 cases in 27 states last year; and that a majority of those people of the

infected were unvaccinated. Makes sense. Herd immunity can only protect you for so long

people. 2015 has already had 59 cases, from a single Disneyland exposure -- including

five employees of the parks.

The measles is REALLY contagious. It was first described in some way by Persian physicians

in the year 900. It causes a rash all over your body, swelling, fever, a cough and little

spots inside the cheeks called Koplik spots. It's deadly to young children and is one of

the leading causes for children worldwide. Measles, or rubeola is a virus, and there

is no cure. It spreads by flying into the air during a cough or sneeze or piggybacking

on the sharing of food or drinks. If you had the measles and you're watching this, CONGRATULATIONS!

Tell us about history Nana and PopPop!! Most people born before 1957 have had the measles;

so I just want to make them feel included. The reason the cutoff is 1957 -- is because

in 1958** a vaccine went into wide use and boom. Measles infections dropped precipitously.

Since then, the WHO has attempted to vaccinate children worldwide, which likely saved hundreds

of thousands of lives. Since 2000 they've dropped cases 75% worldwide thanks to the

MMR vaccine.

The vaccine for the measles is part of the MMR vaccine; which stands for measles-mumps

and rubella. Measles is the worst, but the mumps causes a swelling of the parotid glands

giving the face a hamster look; sounds cute, but it's not cute. It's painful and highly

contagious. It can also caught inflammation of the testis, ovary, pancreas, or meninges.

Rubella is also known as the german measles, and it's like the measles, but far milder.

Luckily, the MMR vaccine is one of the most effective in the world. With only two doses,

97-percent of human immune systems create enough antibodies to fight off any measles

it may come in contact with. Usually, the first comes near birth, and the second a few

years later to make sure the immunity is solid. Measles sounds crappy, what with the rashes

and diarrhea, but it can also cause permanent damage to the lungs or the brain. It's also

connected to seizures and meningitis!

This strange resurgence of measles we're hearing about in the news, is likely because of the

recent trend against vaccination. Only six of the infected had the MMR shot, the rest

did not… which jives with the high protection rate; according to Wired and the CDC. If people

stop getting the MMR vaccine, they become happy little dumpsters for the diseases which

can't take hold anywhere else. As we only eliminated the endemic measles, unvaccinated

Americans travelling abroad are still able to contract measles where it has not been

eliminated and transport it to areas where it has before they show symptoms.

Even perfect immunity isn't entirely safe, remember, it's only 97-percent effective.

So this is where personal choices for vaccination become problematic. It might be a personal

choice to be an anti-vaxxer, but this choice can harm other people, even those who DID

get vaccinated.