Measles on rampage in Africa: How to stay safe

(CBS) Measles is on the rampage, with AP reporting that ongoing outbreaks of the viral disease in Ethiopia and Kenya having killed dozens of children and sickened thousands of others.

PICTURES - Measles: 7 things parents must know

The U.S. is also experiencing high numbers of measles cases. Between Jan. 1 and June 17 of this year, 156 cases of measles were reported in the U.S. That's the highest number reported since 1996.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination. So why is it showing up again? The vast majority of cases in the U.S. were "imported" into the country by travelers who had recently visited countries where measles continues to be a problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So what can you do to stay safe? The CDC recommends that all U.S. residents over the age of six months should get the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine prior to traveling abroad.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness caused by contact with droplets coughed or sneezed out an infected person. Symptoms include bloodshot eyes, cough, fever, muscle pain, sensitivity to light, and, of course, the notorious measles rash.

There is no specific treatment for measles, but symptoms can often be relieved by bed rest, humidified air, and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

The CDC has more on measles.