Measles outbreaks

Two homoeopathic physicians who oppose measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine are being blamed for a measles epidemic in the German town of Coburg. Thirty children have been hospitalised amid fears that deaths may occur if the disease continues to spread. The children have ear, lung and larynx infections brought on by measles. In the UK, there were 69 cases of measles in January and February compared with 62 in the whole of last year. The majority were in London, where one-quarter of parents have refused to give their children the MMR vaccination.

Associated Press, 6 March 2002.