A measles outbreak traced to Disney theme parks in California continues to grow with 70 people sickened from the highly contagious disease.
The outbreak has now spread to five states and into Mexico with the majority reported in California.
State epidemiologist Gil Chavez told reporters that anyone who has not had the MMR (mumps/measles/rubella) vaccine should temporarily avoid Disney theme parks. He also said highly crowded locations like airports or bus stations should also be avoided.
He said anyone who’s been vaccinated has nothing to fear.
State officials said cases range from 7 months to 70 years old. About 25% of those infected had to be hospitalized and five of the sickened were Disney employees.
Chavez said California averages 4 to 60 measles cases a year, so 2015 is off “to a bad start.” He said that it’s likely they won’t be able to find patient zero for this outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control says that it’s too late in the flu season to create a vaccine to fight the predominant strain of flu virus in the United States.
The strain, influenza A (H3N2) has mutated since the current flu shots were created and the current shots are only partially effective in containing the virus.
CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said it would take up to four months to create a new flu vaccine even if newer technologies are used in creation.
Doctors say that the H3N2 strain has been especially severe when dominant and that without good match in a vaccine the likelihood of increased hospitalizations and deaths significantly increases.
The CDC is still recommending a flu shot because they say it could provide partial protection against H3N2. They also say that if someone comes seriously ill with the flu it’s vital they be taken to a hospital for treatment.
A new study shows vaccines that come from human fetal cell lines can contribute to autism.
The study uses data from the U.S., U.K., Denmark and Australia. It was complied by the Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute.
“Not only are the human fetal contaminated vaccines associated with autistic disorder throughout the world, but also with epidemic childhood leukemia and lymphomas,” said Dr. Theresa Deisher of SCPI.
The study showed that in most cases, the amount of fetal DNA in the vaccines was significantly above the levels considered safe. No more than 10ng should be in a dose, yet in some cases the levels were as high at 2000ng per dose.
“There are a large number of publications about the presence of HERV (human endogenous retrovirus – the only re-activatable endogenous retrovirus) and its association with childhood lymphoma,” noted Dr Deisher. “The MMR II and chickenpox vaccines and indeed all vaccines that were propagated or manufactured using the fetal cell line WI-38 are contaminated with this retrovirus. And both parents and physicians have a right to know this!”
The report comes on the heels of a CDC report that was withheld showing an increase among African American boys and autism when vaccinated prior to 36 months.
