By AP
LANSING, MI –
Michigan health officials say a preliminary report of disease case counts from 2011 indicates childhood vaccination programs are effective.
Cases of chickenpox, mumps and whooping cough declined in 2011. That's based on totals included in the final weekly disease report of the year from a statewide surveillance system.
The numbers reflect only reported cases, not necessarily all occurrences of a particular disease. The counts are preliminary and subject to change after cases are reviewed.
Reported chickenpox cases have fallen sharply during the past five years. Reported mumps cases declined by half in 2011.
Three measles cases and two rubella cases were reported. That's up from zero in 2010 but still indicates the illnesses are rare.