CDC: Measles Cases In the US Pass 700

The CDC is stressing vaccination as the number of confirmed cases of measles in 2019 continues to rise.

The CDC has recorded 704 cases of measles in the US this year, which is the highest number of confirmed cases since 1994 (963 cases) and since 2000, when measles was declared eliminated in the US.

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Of the 704 cases, 503 (71%) occurred in unvaccinated individuals and 66 (9%) were hospitalized. Of 13 outbreaks that have occurred, 6 have occurred in underimmunized close-knit communities accounting for 88% of all cases.

“Measles is a nationally notifiable disease in the United States; health care providers should rapidly report all cases of suspected measles to public health authorities to ensure that timely control measures are implemented. High coverage with MMR vaccine is the most effective strategy to limit transmission and maintain elimination of measles in the United States.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Patel M, Lee AD, Redd SB, et al. Increase in measles cases — United States, January 1–April 26, 2019 [published online 29 April 2019]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6817e1.