The U.S. has hit an unwelcome milestone in measles cases this year. The CDC is reporting 1,288 cases across the country. The disease was declared eliminated 25 years ago.
The high number of U.S. measles cases this year has been fueled by a Texas outbreak. Three people have died.Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.The U.S. has reported 1,288 measles cases this year — the highest number in 33 years, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The last time the U.S. saw more measles cases was in 1992, eight years before the disease was declared eliminated in the country.known to humans. And more importantly, it's preventable. And so we really hate to see this resurgence of a preventable virus," Rivers says.Since the start of the year, measles cases have been confirmed by more than three dozen states plus the District of Columbia. The largest outbreak by farThe state has reported 753 measles cases this year. Across the U.S., 155 people have been hospitalized, and three people have died.Cole’s French Dip, the historic downtown LA eatery, is closing after 117 years And while the Texas outbreak has slowed significantly, across the country, Rivers says the U.S. is now seeing more cases on a weekly basis than in previous years. The Texas outbreak started in January. At one point, Rivers says, the state was reporting 15 to 20 new cases of measles per day, raising fears that, if the outbreak continued the U.S. would lose its"elimination" status, which is a technical term in public health that means the disease has not had a constant transmission for a 12-month period or longer. She says that's less likely to happen now, given that the state is only reporting a handful of cases per week."We are in great danger of losing our measles elimination status, if not this year, then almost certainly in the coming years," he says. Ratner points to kindergarten vaccination rates, which have been falling nationwide for years and are currently at 92.7%. In some communities, vaccination rates are much lower, creating pockets of opportunity for measles to spread. The CDC says a 95% vaccination rate threshold is needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks. "What we're seeing now is, as vaccine hesitancy has grown, particularly during and after the COVID pandemic, those outbreaks are becoming more frequent and larger," Ratner says.sued Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., charging him with what they characterize as an effort to undermine trust in vaccines among the American public. In a statement to NPR, Health and Human Services Department spokesperson Andrew Nixon said,"CDC continues to recommend MMR vaccines as the best way to protect against measles. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one." He added that the CDC continues to provide vaccines to communities dealing with outbreaks as requested. Before widespread vaccination eliminated the disease in the U.S., pretty much everyone got measles in childhood. And between 400 to 500 children used to die from the disease each year. It can also cause permanent disabilities — the disease is still a leading cause of blindness worldwide."So although many people think of measles as a mild illness and for the most part it is, it can also" Rivers says."That's an important reminder for parents who are on the fence that this virus is definitely something that's worth preventing."At a time when trusted news and information are more important than ever, your donation ensures that LAist can continue to serve everyone in our community. Make a powerful statement that you value quality reporting from LAist and safeguard the future of public media today with your gift.Education LAUSD to lose millions for English language learners, afterschool programs after Trump admin withholds fundsThey were repeatedly ticketed because of their homelessness. What did it change?Protesters say federal agents hit them with rubber bullets and tear gas. What happens to their complaints?One of LA’s beloved burrito spots is closing its doors after 50 years in its original East LA locationDid a complicated 2024 homeless count lead to errors? Experts and some city officials think soThe businesses facing scrutiny in probes surrounding a disgraced OC supervisor
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