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Measles

Measles Outbreak Spreads Across the United States, Kentucky Reports Five Active Cases

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, is spreading rapidly across the United States, with Kentucky being one of the latest affected states. The outbreak, which began in Woodford County, has reached Fayette County, with four out of five active cases connected to the same incident. This comes as the country deals with its largest measles outbreak since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 1,267 confirmed cases this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The measles outbreak in Kentucky is connected to four out of five active cases, with the fifth case unconnected.
  • The outbreak began in Woodford County and has since spread to Fayette County.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,267 confirmed measles cases in the United States this year.
  • Two children in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico have died from measles, all of whom were unvaccinated.
  • The MMR jab, which prevents measles, is falsely claimed by some, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be made from "aborted fetuses."
  • Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, a runny nose, and rashes, and in severe cases, can lead to swelling of the brain and even death.
  • Infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe measles cases.
  • Aside from Kentucky, there are currently 1,169 cases of measles in Alberta, Canada, and 2,810 cases in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Statistics:

  • 1,267 confirmed measles cases in the United States this year (CDC).
  • 5 active measles cases in Kentucky (4 connected to the outbreak in Woodford County and 1 unconnected).
  • 299 deaths from measles worldwide (WHO, 2020).
  • 169,000 deaths from measles globally in 2019 (WHO, 2019).
  • 94% of measles cases are preventable with vaccination (WHO, 2020).
  • 96% of the U.S. population has been vaccinated (CDC, 2020).

Sources:

  • Kentucky Department for Public Health (KY)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • The Associated Press (AP News)
  • The Daily Beast

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