Measles Poses Threat To U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control is warning the “eliminated” disease is becoming a threat again to the United States.

The CDC says because measles runs rampant overseas that travelers are bringing the disease back with them from foreign travel.

“A measles outbreak anywhere is a risk everywhere,” the CDC said in a press release. “The steady arrival of measles in the United States is a constant reminder that deadly diseases are testing our health security every day. Someday, it won’t be only measles at the international arrival gate; so, detecting diseases before they arrive is a wise investment in U.S. health security.”

The CDC reported that 18 children every hour around the world dies from measles.

Statistics for 2013 show 175 confirmed cases in the U.S. this year, almost three times the number of average cases each year since 2000.

CDC Searches Origin of Parasite That Sickens Hundreds

The Centers for Disease Control is trying to find the source of an outbreak of Cyclospora that has sickened hundreds of people, mostly in the Midwest.

The mystery stems from the fact the parasite is not common in the United States but rather found in tropical locations like Latin America.  The parasite also isn’t spread from person to person, so there has to be a contaminated food or water source.  Continue reading