The United States is facing its highest number of measles cases this year since the surge recorded in 2019, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To date, at least 308 infections have been reported, surpassing the 285 cases recorded throughout 2022. This increase has raised concerns among health authorities, especially given the control achieved in previous years.
“More than 90% of the cases come from a growing outbreak in Texas and neighboring New Mexico,” CDC data detailed.
Barron’s Magazine adds historical context on the severity of measles, explaining how this virus was deadly for centuries. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, it infected most people before adolescence and caused severe epidemics every two or three years. While measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, recent outbreaks have sparked concern.
Two Possible Deaths Raise Alarm in the Region
Measles is not only causing more infections but has also claimed lives this year, something that had not happened since 2019, when 1,274 cases were recorded. A child hospitalized with measles died in February in West Texas, while in New Mexico, an unvaccinated adult tested positive after death, though it has not yet been confirmed whether measles was the official cause. These cases have raised questions about how many infections might be going undetected.
The fact that there have already been two deaths suggests the actual number of cases could be much higher than the current figure, Barron’s Magazine warns. Globally, the numbers are also concerning: the World Health Organization (WHO) recently highlighted that measles killed more than 100,000 people in 2023 and warned about the risk of losing “elimination status” in the Americas region.
Gaps in Vaccination Rates
The measles vaccine, introduced in 1963, and the more effective version from 1968, drastically reduced deaths and hospitalizations. Today, the CDC recommends administering the combined vaccine protecting against mumps and rubella, known as MMR, in two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years.
One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses reach 97% effectiveness. However, immunization coverage in some areas remains concerning.
Although 92.7% of preschool-aged children in the United States are fully vaccinated, in states like Alaska, rates drop to 84.3%, a relevant figure. These gaps have facilitated outbreaks, primarily in unvaccinated communities. Among the 222 confirmed cases in March, only 2% had received the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine.
Impacts and Complications of Measles
Measles is not only contagious but can also have serious consequences. Approximately one in five unvaccinated people who contract the disease in the United States requires hospitalization. Additionally, there is a risk of developing encephalitis, a brain inflammation that can lead to deafness or intellectual disability. According to the CDC, between one and three children out of every thousand who contract measles die from related complications.
The return of the virus also highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates. “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. He added that countries must redouble efforts to reach communities with low vaccination rates and urged not to lose ground in the fight against the virus.
Global and Increasing Outbreaks
The measles issue is not exclusive to the United States. In countries like Canada, a record outbreak has contributed to a rise in cases across the Americas. The WHO warned this month that measles elimination status in the Americas region is at risk. Meanwhile, Europe and Asia have also reported increases in cases, fueled by gaps in vaccination coverage.
Locally, outside of Texas and New Mexico, the CDC has also recorded cases in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington.
Image: Infobae
