Weekly measles cases top 90 in U.S. for first time in years

The recent surge in measles cases in the U.S. has sparked concern among health officials, with the number of reported cases exceeding 90 in a single week for the first time since 2019. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 91 cases of measles were reported with rashes that began the week of March 23, with states like Arkansas, Hawaii, and Indiana joining the list of confirmed cases.

In the following weeks, the number of reported cases remained high, with 81 cases reported for the week of March 30 and an additional 21 cases reported the following week. The total number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. so far this year has reached 712, marking the second-highest number of cases reported in a single year since the 1990s. In 1990, nearly 30,000 measles cases were reported, largely due to gaps in vaccination.

The CDC has identified seven local outbreaks of the virus in the U.S., with the largest outbreak occurring in Texas and neighboring New Mexico, where nearly 600 cases have been reported. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the CDC for their efforts in controlling the outbreak, stating that the numbers in the country have now plateaued.

Kennedy compared the measles figures in the U.S. to those in Europe, where thousands more cases and several deaths have been reported. Health officials in Europe have been struggling with record measles cases due to low vaccination rates in several countries. Unlike in Europe, prolonged local outbreaks of measles had been declared eliminated in the Americas, but this year’s outbreaks are now threatening that public health achievement.

Despite the apparent slowdown in recent measles cases, CDC officials caution that challenges in quickly identifying and reporting cases from the outbreaks can distort figures. The CDC has also issued recommendations for travelers to Texas and Kansas to get a second or early dose of the measles vaccine, as the current increase in cases is attributed to people returning from international trips with measles and outbreaks among communities with low vaccination coverage.

In conclusion, the rise in measles cases in the U.S. is a cause for concern, and health officials are urging the public to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations to prevent further outbreaks. Stay informed and follow CDC guidelines to protect yourself and your community from the spread of measles.