The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on Thursday, stating that the number of measles cases in the United States this year has reached 58, matching the total for the entirety of 2023. This sharp increase has prompted concerns among health officials, especially since the cases have emerged in just over three months.
According to the CDC, 93% of this year’s measles cases are linked to international travel, with the majority involving children aged one or older who have not received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Healthcare providers are advised to ensure that children are up to date with routine immunizations, including MMR, as stated in the CDC advisory.
Seventeen states have reported measles cases this year, with New York City being a notable location. The CDC also notes outbreaks in other countries such as Austria and the United Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for anyone traveling internationally, regardless of age.
Measles is highly contagious, with an unvaccinated person having a 90% chance of contracting the disease if exposed. Recent outbreaks in Florida and Philadelphia underscore the urgency of vaccination efforts.
Tragically, measles can be fatal, with an estimated 128,000 deaths, primarily children, attributed to the disease in 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Vaccination programs have prevented an estimated 56 million deaths globally from 2000 to 2021.
While the U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, indicating no continuous transmission of the disease for over 12 months or its absence from the country, there has been a resurgence in recent years. In 2019, the U.S. saw a 27-year high of 1,274 cases, largely due to travel-related outbreaks affecting unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals.