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Measles Outbreak Warning

Posted: 3:45 PM Apr 25, 2012
Reporter: Amanda Brown

ARDMORE, OK--The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last year they saw the worst measles outbreak in the U.S. in fifteen years.

Experts with the CDC said the need to vaccinate is greater now than it was ten years ago because fewer people are getting immunized increasing their risk of contracting the virus.

Measles can cause high fever, which can lead to brain damage, deafness and blindness, even death.

Experts said although there may be a slight risk of reaction to the vaccine, the risk is outweighed by the benefit of preventing the disease.

Experts said it is best to get kids what is called a combination shot to protect them from both strains of the virus at age one and four.