Measles Outbreaks Continue Across the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 1,168 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of the latest available data, with notable outbreaks in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado. The epidemic has resulted in three deaths among unvaccinated individuals, with most cases linked to undervaccinated communities and international travel. The ongoing outbreaks have prompted health officials to shift their communication strategies to once a week, indicating a decline in the epidemic.

Key Takeaways:

• The Texas outbreak, the largest in the country, has resulted in 742 cases across 35 counties, with most cases in West Texas, where a Mennonite community was severely affected.
• The Texas health department has opted to report case counts only once a week, signaling a decline in the outbreak.
• New Mexico has reported 81 cases, with seven hospitalizations, primarily in Lea County.
• Oklahoma has added one case, bringing the total to 15, while Colorado has seen a total of 12 cases this year, linked to a Turkish Airlines flight and including one outbreak of seven related cases.
• Kansas has reported 71 cases across 11 counties, with three hospitalizations, while Montana's cases totaled 17, with 10 in Gallatin County, where the first cases emerged.
• North Dakota has reported 34 cases, two of which have been hospitalized, with 16 in Williams County in western North Dakota.
• Ohio has maintained 34 measles cases and one hospitalization, with two outbreaks: Ashtabula County near Cleveland has 16 cases, and Knox County in east-central Ohio has 20.
• Tennessee's outbreak appears to be over, with six cases since early May, and no new cases in six weeks.
• Measles cases have also been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Statistics:

• 1,168 confirmed measles cases in the U.S.
• 742 cases in Texas, the largest outbreak in the country
• 81 cases in New Mexico, with seven hospitalizations
• 15 cases in Oklahoma, with one new case reported
• 12 cases in Colorado, with one outbreak of seven related cases
• 71 cases in Kansas, with three hospitalizations
• 17 cases in Montana, with 10 in Gallatin County
• 34 cases in North Dakota, two of which have been hospitalized
• 34 cases in Ohio, with one hospitalization
• 6 cases in Tennessee, with no new cases in six weeks
• Over 95% vaccination rate required for herd immunity

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• New Mexico Department of Health
• Oklahoma State Department of Health
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
• North Dakota Department of Health
• Ohio Department of Health
• Tennessee Department of Health
• The Associated Press Health and Science Department
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation