By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that they have been notified of 16 confirmed measles cases among Afghan nationals and U.S. citizens, recently arriving from Afghanistan.

Image/geralt

A spokesperson for Fort McCoy in Wisconsin said today a total of seven Afghan refugees have been infected with the very contagious virus and all have recovered.

The first case was reported earlier in the month, but when the other six tested positive was not disclosed.  The base currently has no active measles cases, the spokesperson noted.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the United States, meaning the disease is no longer endemic in this country. However, travelers continue to bring measles into the United States, and community transmission in connection with these travel-associated cases poses an ongoing risk to unvaccinated persons and thereby measles elimination.