The United States is currently experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, marking the most severe outbreak in years. As of March 26, Ohio has joined Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas in declaring a state of measles outbreak.
Current Measles Cases in the US
As of March 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 483 measles cases in the country this year, the highest count since 2019, which surpassed 1,200 cases. The CDC is tracking additional potential cases that are pending confirmation.
States Reporting Measles Cases
Nineteen states have reported at least one measles case this year, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Fourteen of these states have reported isolated cases without further spread.
Five states, however, have officially declared outbreaks, indicated by the presence of at least three related cases. As of March 28, Texas reported 400 confirmed cases, and New Mexico had 44 cases. Oklahoma had recorded seven cases by March 25, while Kansas and Ohio confirmed 23 and 10 cases, respectively, by March 26.
Hospitalizations and Fatalities
The CDC also reports that 70 individuals have been hospitalized due to measles this year. Notably, an unvaccinated child died from the virus on February 26 in Texas, marking the first recorded measles death in a decade. A second possible case of measles-related death is currently under investigation in New Mexico.
Timeline of the Outbreak
The outbreak was first declared in Texas, where the Department of State Health Services issued an alert on January 23 after identifying cases in two unvaccinated adults who had traveled abroad. Subsequently, additional cases were confirmed in unvaccinated children. By now, the outbreak has spread throughout Gaines County, Texas, affecting at least 270 people in an area with low vaccination rates.
The outbreak has also impacted neighboring states, with New Mexico confirming its first case on February 11, and Oklahoma reporting its first two cases on March 11. The outbreak in Kansas, starting on March 13, is believed to be related to those in New Mexico and Texas.
Ohio’s recent outbreak appears unrelated to other states, with the first case reported on March 20 in an unvaccinated individual who had contact with a traveler. The remaining confirmed cases in Ohio are linked to this individual.
Demographics of Measles Cases
A staggering 97 percent of reported cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unclear. Only 2 percent of cases involve those who have received two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is 97 percent effective against the virus.
Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable; 75 percent of cases are among individuals aged 19 and younger. Serious complications, such as pneumonia or brain swelling, can arise in children infected with measles, leading to severe health issues.
Reasons Behind the Measles Resurgence
Although the US declared measles eliminated in 2000, sporadic outbreaks continue due to declining vaccination rates. Measles is highly contagious, with each case potentially leading to 12 to 18 additional infections among those who are unprotected. Herd immunity is achieved when over 95 percent of a community is fully vaccinated.
In the 2019-2020 school year, over 95 percent of kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles. However, the rate has since dropped below 93 percent for the 2023-2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergarteners vulnerable to infection.
Efforts to Address the Outbreak
Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against measles. Public health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination in light of the ongoing outbreaks. Individuals are strongly encouraged to ensure they and their children are fully vaccinated to prevent the spread of this serious disease.
