Overview of Measle Outbreak in 2013

The following confirmed cases of Measles have been reported worldwide in 2013:

• Australia (Queensland): 51, as reported by Queensland Health
• USA: 159 up to August 2013, as reported by the CDC
• UK: over 800 cases in the Swansea area, as reported by the NHS
• The Netherlands: 2,543 cases, as reported by RIVM
• Canada (Alberta); 42 cases, as reported by Alberta Health Services

Other notable outbreaks occurred in Indonesia (6,300 confirmed cases), Germany (1,520 cases), Turkey (7,132 cases) and Pakistan (over 30,000).
Most of these cases were in unvaccinated (82%) or incompletely vaccinated (13%) people.

In addition to the current measle outbreak, in Germany two cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare, late complication of measles have been reported in 2013. SSPE occurs in general about seven years after having a measles infection. The CDC reports that it SSPE concerns a "progressive deterioration of behavior and intellect, followed by ataxia (awkwardness), myoclonic seizures, and eventually death." There is currently no cure for SSPE or measles, but both can be prevented by vaccination.