5 important facts about measles

For years, people in the United States didn't have to think about measles very much. That's because a safe and effective vaccine to protect against this viral infection has been available for decades. In fact, in 2000, the U.S. declared measles to be eliminated.

But measles has come back in recent years as a potential threat, due to declining vaccination rates. Here’s what to know about this highly contagious infection, and what you can do to protect yourself and your community.