The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a troubling surge in measles cases across the United States, with 1,288 confirmed cases recorded as of Tuesday in 38 states. This figure is the highest since 1992, highlighting a significant public health concern. Among the states affected, Texas leads with over 700 cases, significantly contributing to the national total.
According to the CDC, 92% of the individuals who have contracted the virus are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, which underscores the critical role of immunization in preventing the spread of the disease. The CDC also emphasized that measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning that most cases today are linked to individuals who contracted the virus abroad and returned to the country. The rise in cases has also led to three reported deaths, raising concerns about the virus’s potential impact on vulnerable populations, particularly young children.
Health officials continue to urge the public to ensure they are up-to-date with their vaccinations to prevent further outbreaks and protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. The CDC has provided guidance on the symptoms of measles, which include high fever, coughing, and rashes, and highlighted the highly contagious nature of the virus, which spreads through the air and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left.
The current number of measles cases in the U.S. is at its highest level in more than 30 years, according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC explained that last year, the number of cases was 285, which is a sharp contrast to the 1,288 cases recorded this year, the highest since 1992. In 2019, there were 1,274 recorded cases, but this year’s total so far is the most since 1992, when there were 2,126 cases.