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Measles Cases Hit 33-Year High, Fueled by Texas Outbreak
The U.S. is experiencing a surge in measles cases, reaching a concerning 33-year high of 1,288 cases this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the highest number of cases since 1992, predating the disease’s elimination declaration in 2000.
Experts express concern over this resurgence. Caitlin Rivers, director of the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, emphasizes the highly infectious nature of measles and the importance of its preventability.
A significant outbreak in Texas, accounting for 753 cases, has driven the national surge. While the Texas outbreak has recently slowed, the national weekly case count continues to climb. Nationwide, 155 people have been hospitalized, and three have died as a result of the disease.
The Texas outbreak, which began in January, initially raised fears of the U.S. losing its “elimination” status, a public health term signifying the absence of continuous transmission for 12 months or more. While this immediate threat has diminished, experts remain cautious.
Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease physician and author of Booster Shots, warns of the continuing risk to the nation’s elimination status in the coming years.
Declining kindergarten vaccination rates, currently at 92.7% nationally, contribute to the vulnerability to outbreaks. The CDC recommends a 95% vaccination rate for community protection against measles. Ratner links the rise in measles cases to increasing vaccine hesitancy, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
This measles milestone coincides with legal action against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by leading medical associations, alleging efforts to undermine public trust in vaccines.
A Health and Human Services Department spokesperson affirmed the CDC’s recommendation of MMR vaccines while emphasizing the personal nature of vaccination decisions. The CDC continues to provide vaccines to affected communities as needed.
Prior to widespread vaccination, measles was a common childhood illness, resulting in hundreds of deaths annually. Measles can also cause permanent disabilities, including blindness, which remains a significant global concern.
The current U.S. hospitalization rate of 1 in 8 cases underscores the potential severity of the disease. Rivers stresses the importance of vaccination for parents considering their options, highlighting the preventable nature of this sometimes severe illness.