Measles cases in the US continue to rise later Breaking decades of records Just two weeks ago.
Currently, there are 1,319 confirmed cases of measles in 39 states. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updated Wednesday. This is the best national measles figure seen since 1992.
The number of cases nationwide is more than 4.5 times higher than last year, with an estimated 285 cases reported.
so far, Two children and 1 adult He died of the virus this year. This was the first death from measles in 10 years. Of the 1,000 children infected with measles, approximately 1-3 die from respiratory and neurological complications. CDC.
The overwhelming majority of cases this year (92%) are among those who have not been vaccinated or have no vaccination status known to be unsure, CDC data shows.
Signs will be seen outside the South Plains Public Health District clinic in Brownfield, Texas on February 23, 2025.
Julio Cortez/AP, File
That’s what measles was It was declared excluded from the US According to the CDC, it was in 2000 for a highly effective vaccination programme.
According to CDC data, childhood vaccinations to protect against measles have been declining in recent years.
The proportion of kindergarteners who were vaccinated by the state fell below 93% from 95% in 2019-2020. 2023-2024 Gradeaccording to CDC data. The 95% threshold is an ideal level for protecting immunity in herds, public health experts point out.
This will protect approximately 280,000 US kindergarteners, or 7.3%, from the virus.
The measles vaccine was made available in 1963. Before that, almost all children remembered measles by the age of 15. It led to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations each year before the shot became widely available. CDC.
That’s what the US kids are Recommended The first dose between 12 and 15 months, and the second receives two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines at age 4-6. According to the CDC, one dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective.
Booster shots are not usually recommended for adults who are immune from the virus through vaccination or previous infection.
