US Reports More Than 300 Cases of Measles
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Synopsis
As of March 15, the US has reported 301 confirmed cases of measles in 2023, according to the CDC. Texas has been notably affected, with 259 cases and 34 hospitalizations. The CDC emphasizes vaccination as the best preventative measure.
Key Takeaways
- 301 confirmed measles cases reported in the US this year.
- Texas has the highest number of cases at 259.
- 50 individuals hospitalized and 2 fatalities confirmed.
- Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications.
- Vaccination is crucial for prevention.
New York, March 15 (NationPress) The United States has confirmed a total of 301 measles cases this year, as per the latest statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The affected regions span across 15 jurisdictions in the country. Among these cases, 50 individuals have been hospitalized, and unfortunately, two fatalities have been reported, according to Xinhua news agency.
Texas has experienced a surge in measles cases since January, with 259 confirmed cases reported as of Friday. Out of these, 34 patients have necessitated hospital care.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued warnings that due to the highly infectious nature of measles, more cases are anticipated in both affected areas and surrounding communities.
Measles is an extremely contagious viral infection that transmits through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It typically manifests symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that spreads over the body. In severe instances, it can result in complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.
The CDC underscores that the most effective prevention method against measles is via vaccination.
Receiving two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective in averting the disease. In comparison, Europe experienced 127,350 measles cases in 2024, which is double that of 2023 and marks the highest count since 1997.
The European Region accounted for a third of global measles cases in 2024, with children under 5 making up more than 40 percent of reported cases across the 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, according to an analysis by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
More than half of the reported cases necessitated hospitalization. A total of 38 deaths have been recorded based on preliminary data as of March 6, 2025.
Measles cases in the region have generally been on the decline since 1997, when around 216,000 cases were reported, reaching a low of 4,440 cases in 2016. However, a resurgence was noted in 2018 and 2019, with 89,000 and 106,000 cases reported in those two years respectively.
Following a drop in immunization rates during the Covid-19 pandemic, cases have surged significantly again in 2023 and 2024, according to the analysis.
