Parents are to blame for the fact that the number of measles cases in the U.S. has reached its highest point since 1996 according to researchers’ recent announcement. Some parents oppose their children’s vaccination due to philosophical and religious reasons or fear that the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is dangerous. Others also pay attention to absurd rumors that say that the vaccines cause autism despite the fact that the theory has been denied by scientists and by authoritative medical organizations more than once.

The paradox is actually that measles was declared nearly eradicated in 2000, when 63 cases occurred throughout the whole year. 131 measles cases have already occurred this year in the U.S.A. from 15 states and the District of Columbia. Fifteen people, including four infants, were hospitalized. There were no deaths. In Illinois, 30 people were sickened in the same period of time. There were only 42 cases last year. So the situation is rapidly getting worse. "We're seeing a lot more spread. That is concerning to us," said Dr. Jane Seward, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Out of this year’s total cases, except for children under age 1 who are too young for the shot, 22 were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status and 63 of them sickened because their parents refused the shots for philosophical or religious reasons, the CDC reported.

What’s important to know about the measles in the U.S. is that the infection rate for those who are not vaccinated against it is over 90%.

Rashes, fever and diarrhea are among the typical symptoms where this disease is concerned, and severe cases could also lead to pneumonia or encephalitis.