A Measles outbreak is hitting the Pacific Northwest hard, and it has sickened dozens and is spreading fears among many parents.
The outbreak has infected at least 36 people in Oregon and Washington since the first of the year.
The Governor of Washington has now declared a state of emergency. Two cases have now been reported in children in Hawaii. The children traveled to Hawaii from Washington State.
New York is also facing it’s worst measles outbreak in decades with more than 200 reported cases. In one Jewish community where parents shun vaccines, 62 children have contacted the disease.
“These outbreaks are due to the anti-vaccine movement,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said.
“The overwhelming scientific evidence over many years and decades indicate that the vaccine, particularly the measles vaccine is very safe,” he said.