Measles is on the Rise in Europe -- Could We See an Increase in the U.S.?

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the World Health Organization has reported that measles is on the rise in Europe. Rebecca Martin, the immunization program manager for WHO's Europe office in Copenhagen, said "We are seeing a surge of cases much larger than we've seen in the past five or six years."

Measles cases had been declining for years but started increasing in 2009, likely due to the low vaccination rates. In Europe, vaccinations are not required for children starting school, as most U.S. states require. The shots became controversial in the late 90s when research, that was later discredited, showed a possible link between vaccinations and autism.

Here is a look at the facts about this dangerous disease.

* Measles is a highly contagious, viral disease. It spreads very easily, and could quickly spread, for example, via travelers on an airplane.

* 90 percent of adults who are exposed to an infected person get sick, and infected droplets can linger for up to two hours after the sick person leaves.

* The WHO report states that there were over 26,000 measles cases in 36 European countries from January to October 2011.

* The United States has had the most cases this year than in the last decade with 205; whereas the average number of cases is usually about 50 per year.

* In 2008, there were 164,000 deaths attributed to measles, most in poor countries.

* Measles vaccination resulted in a 78% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2008 worldwide.

* Symptoms of the disease include a high fever that begins ten to twelve days after exposure, a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots may also develop on the inside of the cheeks. After several days a rash begins to develop, usually on the face and neck, and then spreads to extremities, lasting for five or six days.

* Those who are poorly nourished or have compromised immune systems are more likely to develop complications.

* Complications of measles can include blindness, brain swelling, severe diarrhea, and severe respiratory infections like pneumonia.

* Unvaccinated children are at highest risk. Vaccinations are imperative, especially for American citizens who will be traveling abroad.

* Treatment to avoid severe complications includes keeping well hydrated with adequate fluid intake as well as vitamin A supplements.

* The best advice is to remember the words of Rebecca Martin: "It's a dangerous decision not to get vaccinated. One death is too many when we have an effective vaccine."