Measles Infections Surge to Highest Level in US since 1992

The number of measles cases in the US has reached the highest level since 1992, with 1,288 confirmed cases reported nationwide by July 8, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This surge has resulted in 162 hospitalizations and three deaths, with about a third of the cases occurring in a single west Texas county. The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 753 cases in the state since January, with two children's deaths reported. Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000, but the disease has been making a comeback, with the usual annual count of fewer than 100 cases.

Key Takeaways:

• The number of measles cases in the US has surged to 1,288 confirmed cases nationwide by July 8, the highest level since 1992.
• About a third of the cases have been in one west Texas county, where the Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 753 cases since January.
• Two children who were not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions have died due to measles in Texas.
• Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000, but the disease has been making a comeback due to low vaccination rates and increased transmission.
• People who are not vaccinated and come into contact with the virus have a 90 per cent chance of catching measles, according to the CDC.
• Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr visited west Texas in April to raise awareness about the measles outbreak and encouraged people to get vaccinated.
• Certain religious communities, such as the Mennonite community in west Texas and the Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, have low vaccination rates and are more likely to be homeschooled.
• All American states require children to receive a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine to attend school, according to the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Statistics:

• 1,288 confirmed measles cases nationwide by July 8, the highest level since 1992.
• 162 hospitalizations due to measles this year.
• 3 deaths reported due to measles this year in Texas.
• 753 confirmed cases in Texas since January.
• 90 per cent chance of catching measles for people who are not vaccinated and come into contact with the virus, according to the CDC.
• 2,126 measles cases reported in 1992, the last year with more reported cases than this year.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
• Robert F Kennedy Jr's statement in March.