Cases of measles have been making headlines across the United States since the beginning of the year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing an emergency warning on Jan. 25. The CDC confirmed 23 cases of measles between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024, prompting increased vigilance among health officials.
Since then, seven more states have reported cases of measles, bringing the total number of infections to at least 41 spread across 16 states. While the total case count is still relatively low, health officials are urging the public to be aware of the highly contagious nature of the virus.
Measles is extremely contagious, with 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus contracting it. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 of those infected with measles end up being hospitalized. The last major measles outbreak in the U.S. occurred in 2019, with 1,249 cases reported, the second-highest number since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
Children receive the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles when both doses are given. Even with two doses of the MMR vaccine, the CDC states that 3 out of 100 vaccinated individuals can still get measles, but their illness is typically milder, and they are less likely to spread the disease to others.
Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears 3 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the public to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations to prevent the spread of measles.
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