Until recently, US residents only knew about measles from pictures, but this year everything is suddenly different. The lack of willingness to vaccinate, distrust of the government and religious beliefs have led to one of the largest measles epidemics in the country. The authorities are struggling with new outbreaks every day and are facing a major challenge. The epidemic obviously took them completely by surprise and all previous measures have not proven to be sufficiently effective.
Measles epidemic in the USA: More than 40 people infected in Detroit
Recently, the dangerous disease spread in the New York City neighborhood of Brooklyn, where a small religious community refused to be vaccinated. A resident then traveled to Detroit. The man became sick on the way to Michigan and as soon as he arrived,examined by a doctorlet. The doctor was able to detect a cough and high fever. However, it didn't occur to him that it could be measles. Instead, he diagnosed bronchitis. The man was discharged, but then went back to the doctor and reported a rash, which the doctor described as an allergic reaction.
The medical professionals in Detroit had never encountered the disease before, had never seen it, and could not recognize it. The patient, who wanted to raise funds for his community, then came into contact with many people, 39 of whom became infected. It wasn't until some time later, when the doctor looked at the news, that he reconsidered the diagnosis and came to the conclusion that it might be measles after all. He alerted the relevant authorities, who then found the man. Unfortunately, he had now had numerous contacts with other people and infected many of them.