Measles Cases Spike in the United States, Prompting CDC Advisory
In the last three months, measles cases in the United States have seen a significant uptick, with outbreaks reported in various regions. The spike in cases has been centered in a migrant shelter in Chicago, an elementary school in southeast Florida, and a children’s hospital and daycare in Philadelphia. According to recent reports, the U.S. has recorded 64 cases across 17 states, surpassing last year’s total of 59.
Most of the cases have been linked to international travel and involved children who had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It is important to note that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory to health care providers regarding pockets of low vaccination coverage. The U.S. had come close to losing its measles elimination status in 2019, and the recent spike in cases is a cause for concern.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but occasional outbreaks still occur. Vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, leading to an increase in cases. Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, pink eye, runny nose, and a rash. In severe cases, complications such as pneumonia and swelling of the brain can occur.
Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, thousands of people were hospitalized, and hundreds died each year in the U.S. It is crucial for individuals to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease.
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