The U.S. May Be on Track for the Most Measles Cases Since the Disease Was Declared Eliminated

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed nearly 100 more measles diagnoses since last week, pushing the 2019 case count closer to record levels less than halfway through the year. The CDC has confirmed 465 measles cases in 19 states so far this year, according to the agency’s latest numbers. That’s up from 387 cases in 15 states the week before, with recent cases in Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts and Nevada. Many cases have been clustered in New York and the Pacific Northwest, where widespread outbreaks are in progress. If cases continue to accumulate, the U.S. may see more measles diagnoses in 2019 than in any year since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Currently, that record is held by the 667 cases recorded in 2014, when an outbreak among Ohio’s Amish communities contributed 383 cases alone. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that leads to fever, cough, runny nose and a telltale rash. While measles can be fatal in rare, serious cases, there has not been a measles death in the U.S. since 2015. It can be prevented by vaccines. Resurgence of the preventable illness is due largely to pockets of vaccine skepticism around the country. Most of the outbreaks currently underway — including that among New York City’s Orthodox Jewish community — began when international travelers brought measles back from countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, then spread the disease to unvaccinated ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Infectious Disease Source Type: news