Should African countries quarantine Americans because of measles outbreak in the U.S?

[marylander1940]

Should African countries quarantine Americans because of measles outbreak in the U.S?

 

While parts of North America are experiencing the worst measles outbreak in 15 years, a new report shows that Africa has increased immunization rates significantly, making the continent a world leader in protecting children against the disease.

 

The widespread availability of safe and affordable vaccines in even the most volatile and poor regions of African countries has seen immunization rates surpass those of in the US, according to the 2015 Africa Survey, an annual report by Good Governance Africa (GGA).

 

The US has a 91% vaccination rate, while in Canada, which is currently experiencing an outbreak in Toronto, it is 84%, according to a UN estimate. A 95% rate is required for so-called “herd immunity”.

 

A survey this week by Canadian researchers found that a fifth of the population still believed the long-debunked myth that the measles vaccine causes autism.

 

Ninety per cent of measles cases in the US involve people who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to US Centers for Disease Control.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/07/measles-vaccination-rates-africa-surpass-north-america