More than a decade ago, British parents refused to give measles shots to at least a million children because of a vaccine scare that raised the specter of autism. Now, health officials are scrambling to catch up and stop a growing epidemic of the contagious disease.
This year, the U.K. has had more than 1,200 cases of measles, after a record number of nearly 2,000 cases last year. The country once recorded only several dozen cases every year. It now ranks second in Europe, behind only Romania.
Last month, emergency vaccination clinics were held every weekend in Wales, the epicenter of the outbreak. Immunization drives have also started elsewhere in the country, with officials aiming to reach 1 million children aged 10 to 16.
I – Word Understanding
Specter of autism – worry/fear of causing autism
Autism – a disorder that begins in childhood (difficulty in communication and social interactions; repetitive behavior)
Contagious – easily spread to others
Epicentre – center or important point
II – Have your say
1.Japan – On Jan. 29, the health ministry issued a nationwide alert about the potential for another epidemic and recommended that prefectures and other local governments start promoting vaccinations.
2.Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. More than 95% of measles deaths occur in low-income countries with weak health infrastructures.
3.Autism begins before the age of 3 and last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms can improve over time.
