Measles Outbreak Largest in Years, Experts Say

At least four outbreaks of measles are under way around America, the largest resurgence in years of the once-common childhood disease, federal health officials reported yesterday.

At least 64 cases were reported in nine states between January 1 and April 25, and four outbreaks are ongoing in Arizona, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. That is the largest number of cases reported for that time period since 2001.

"I am concerned. This is different from what have been seeing in the last few years," Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said.

The outbreaks appear to have been triggered by cases imported into America from other countries, Ms. Schuchat said.