In a worrying trend, cases of measles have been popping up in states across the U.S. since the beginning of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an emergency warning on Jan. 25 after 23 confirmed cases between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024. Since then, seven more states have reported at least 18 additional infections, bringing the total case count to under 50.
Health officials are urging increased vigilance due to measles’ high contagiousness – 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles contract the virus and 1 in 5 end up hospitalized. CDC data from Feb. 29 reported 41 confirmed cases across 16 states.
The last major outbreak in the U.S. was in 2019, with a staggering 1,249 cases reported. The majority of cases in that outbreak were in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
It is important to note that the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is highly effective – 97% – at preventing measles when both doses are given. Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and rash appearing 3 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
With measles being a highly contagious and potentially serious disease, it is crucial for individuals to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations. Health officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are encouraging the public to take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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