The measles vaccine was introduced in the US 50 years ago, and now a panel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome has endured through 2011. However, the organization warns that measles still poses a threat, citing a 2013 spike in cases.
The conclusions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report were published in JAMA Pediatrics.
Investigators note that before the US vaccination program began in 1963, almost every child became infected with measles - a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including death.
Each year, between 450 and 500 individuals died, while 48,000 were hospitalized, 7,000 had seizures and around 1,000 experienced permanent brain damage or deafness.
Researchers from the CDC, led by Dr. Mark J. Papania, summarized the data from the US national report on measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) elimination. They say their study follows on from verification of the elimination of measles in 2000 and of rubella in 2004.
It is important to note that "elimination" does not mean that there are zero cases of the illnesses, as some cases occur when people are infected abroad and bring it back to the US, where it can then be transmitted locally.
Therefore, the team says they define elimination as the "absence of a chain of transmission that is continuous for 12 months or more."
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