奇速英语

美麻疹病例增至79例，迪士尼是病源

An outbreak of measles（麻疹）that began at Disneyland before Christmas is affecting lives in many states. Seventy people have been diagnosed with measles, and hundreds more have been exposed at schools, doctor's offices, hospitals, shopping malls and other places visited by infected patients. Arizona became the latest state to report a case of measles related to Disneyland when a woman in her 50s was diagnosed. The outbreak has spread to Utah, Washington, Colorado and Oregon.

As in earlier measles outbreaks, schools and hospitals prove to be hot spots for exposing large numbers of people to the virus, one of the most contagious diseases. Its common symptoms include a fever, dry cough, runny nose and inflamed eyes. Children are often so sensitive to light that they must be kept in a dark room.

Measles can linger in the air, infecting people even two hours after a sick person has left the room. People who suspect that they or a family member have measles should not simply show up at a clinic or hospital. Instead, people should call ahead. That allows clinic staff to schedule the visit at a time when fewer patients are around. Patients may be asked to enter through a back door, where staff can give them a mask and user them into an exam room.

The American Academy of Pediatrics（小儿科）sent out a notice urging parents to vaccinate their children. Children typically receive a first measles shot around their first birthday and another before they start kindergarten. One dose（剂量） of measles vaccine is about 92% effective, and two doses are 98% effective.

People can get a blood test to measure their immunity to measles. These tests could be a good idea for those who are at high risk or who plan to travel to countries with large measles outbreaks can get blood tests to measure their protection. People planning an overseas vacation also can simply get another shot.